Trip from Kimberly, AL to Mobile, AL

Drive Time

5h 3m

Distance

275 mi

443 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 50m ★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Kimberly, AL, AL

Kimberly, AL

Muhammad Nabeel

Downtown Mobile, AL, AL

Mobile, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Kimberly to Mobile covers 275 miles across Alabama, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 3 minutes. Because this trip is entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $42 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily utilize I-65 for the bulk of your travel, supplemented by I-165 and US-31 as you near your destination. This route offers a straightforward path through the Southeast, making it an efficient way to cross the state from north to south.

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

137.5 miles from Kimberly, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 99% of this route is comprised of highway driving. You will settle in for a significant stretch of 263.5 miles exclusively on I-65, which defines the majority of your time behind the wheel. The road maintains a steady, fast-paced character that prioritizes efficiency over technical turns or local backroads. While the landscape transitions as you head toward the coast, the driving environment remains remarkably uniform throughout the duration of the trip. It is a no-nonsense commute that allows you to cover long distances quickly.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 263.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 165. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near I 65.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 275 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
4.4 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
13.4 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
14 mi into trip | ~17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
14.5 mi into trip | ~17m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward Montgomery
5
14.8 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 65

Merge onto I 65

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Kimberly, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Montgomery along the way.

Montgomery

14.5 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 263.5 mi 4h 47m
I 165 4.7 mi 5m
US 31 3.9 mi 5m
Saint Joseph Street 0.4 mi 1m
Mary Buckelew Parkway 0.3 mi <1m
Saint Louis Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 263.5 mi, about 4h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, AL and Mobile, AL.

1

Start on US 31

3.9 mi · 5 min · US 31
2

Turn right onto Mary Buckelew Parkway

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Mary Buckelew Parkway
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
4

Merge onto I 65

9.0 mi · 9 min · I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec
Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward Montgomery Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 65

254 mi · 4 hr 37 min · I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
10

Continue on I 165

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 165
11

Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Saint Joseph Street
12

Turn right onto Saint Louis Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Saint Louis Street
13

Arrive at destination

Saint Louis Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a 275-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 5-hour transit. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach the Mobile area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 263.5-mile stretch on I-65 to ensure you don't run low between major service exits. Because the route is so heavily reliant on the interstate, take advantage of the flexibility this schedule provides by keeping your arrival window open. Staying alert is key, as the sustained highway speeds require consistent focus throughout the drive.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.5 miles from Kimberly, AL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.5 miles.

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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 137.5 miles or 2h 32m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mobile, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, AL

This is one driving day of about 275 miles and 5h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kimberly, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 65 for about 263.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 137.5 mi from Kimberly, AL · 2h 32m into the drive

Downtown Dadeville, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dadeville, AL

138 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Columbiana, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dadeville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.5 miles from Kimberly, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 263.5 miles.

Arriving in Mobile, AL

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.04 one way

$84.08 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $46.11 $92.22
premium $4.61 $49.91 $99.82
diesel $5.64 $61.10 $122.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.5 1 $28.87 $13.20
Efficient EV 68.8 0 $24.06 $11.00
EV Truck/SUV 110 1 $38.50 $17.60

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Kimberly, AL

Afternoon in Kimberly on Sunday

Local time

4:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mobile, AL

Afternoon in Mobile on Sunday

Local time

4:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 3m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kimberly, AL to Mobile, AL covers 275 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, I 165, US 31. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.5 miles from Kimberly, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 275 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Kimberly, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Montgomery along the way.

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