Origin
Carbon Hill, AL
Late night in Carbon Hill on Saturday
Local time
1:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
258.8 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carbon Hill, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Mobile, AL
Wikimedia Commons
This 258.8-mile journey from Carbon Hill, AL to Mobile, AL is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. The route primarily utilizes US 43 and Demopolis Highway, with a significant portion also on I-20, making it a highway-focused drive. With a projected fuel cost of $39, this drive offers a straightforward transition through Alabama's Southeast region. While one stop is noted, the longest stretch without a major road change is 153.3 miles, so plan accordingly. This trip is well-suited for a single day's travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.4 miles from Carbon Hill, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 258.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on US 43, including a lengthy 153.3-mile segment that forms the backbone of the trip. While I-20 contributes to the highway share, the presence of Demopolis Highway suggests you'll also navigate some well-traveled state routes. This drive offers a consistent pace, largely characterized by efficient travel between points.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in near AL 13.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 258.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.7 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto AL 13
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Union
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Carbon Hill, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.
Union
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 43 | 153.3 mi | 3h 2m |
| I 20 | 25.6 mi | 27m |
| Demopolis Highway | 24 mi | 34m |
| AL 13 | 20.8 mi | 28m |
| I 65 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| Northwest 1st Avenue | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| I 165 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| US 11 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between Carbon Hill, AL and Mobile, AL.
Start on Nauvoo Road
Turn right onto AL 118
Turn left onto AL 13
Continue on US 43
Continue on Main Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 43; AL 69
Continue on I 359; AL 69
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 208
Merge onto US 11; US 43
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
Turn slight right onto US 43
Turn left onto US 43
Turn right onto US 43
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
Turn right onto US 43
Turn right onto US 43
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Continue on I 165
Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 5-hour 22-minute duration, departing Carbon Hill in the morning is advisable to reach Mobile with ample daylight. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 150 miles on US 43, so be sure to fuel up before embarking and consider a mid-drive break. While only one stop is officially noted, you'll find opportunities for rest and refueling along the way. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a single day.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.4 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mobile, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Carbon Hill, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carbon Hill, AL
This is one driving day of about 258.8 miles and 5h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.4 mi from Carbon Hill, AL · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 129.4 miles from Carbon Hill, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.3 miles.
The final approach into Mobile, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Mobile, AL.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$39.08 one way
$78.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $42.91 | $85.81 |
| premium | $4.56 | $46.45 | $92.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $57.14 | $114.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.17 | $12.42 |
| Efficient EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.65 | $10.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.5 | 1 | $36.23 | $16.56 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Carbon Hill on Saturday
Local time
1:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
1:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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