Trip from Mobile, AL to Cleveland, AL

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

5h 36m

Distance

296.7 mi

477 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 23m ★

6 AM

5h 36m

8 AM

6h 3m

10 AM

5h 46m

12 PM

5h 43m

3 PM

5h 47m

5 PM

6h 1m

8 PM

5h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Mobile, AL

Wikimedia Commons

town in Blount County, Alabama, United States

Cleveland, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 296.7-mile drive from Mobile, AL, to Cleveland, AL, is best tackled as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, with 89% of the journey on highways, making it a straightforward trip through the Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $45. With only one recommended stop, this drive is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight break. It's a practical choice for those looking to cover ground comfortably within a day.

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

148.3 miles from Mobile, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 89% of your travel occurring on interstates and freeways. The majority of your miles, a solid 239.6-mile stretch, will be on I-65, offering a consistent driving pace. You'll navigate using I-65, New Bradford Highway, and John M. Harbert III Freeway. While largely a high-speed journey, the transition between these main roads is designed to be smooth, ensuring a continuous flow as you head north through Alabama.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 28 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 239.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and New Bradford Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 296.7 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 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 245.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

5.1 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 1B Toward I 65: Montgomery

245.2 mi into trip | ~4h 26m in

Take the exit toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 250 Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa

245.5 mi into trip | ~4h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden

263.2 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 59 North: Gadsden

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 33B Toward I 59 North: Gadsden

266.7 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in

Take the exit toward Trussville, Pinson

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 141 Toward Trussville, Pinson

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Mobile, AL and Cleveland, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Trussville and Pinson.

Gadsden

245.2 mi in | ~4h 26m

Tuscaloosa

245.2 mi in | ~4h 26m

Trussville

266.7 mi in | ~4h 50m

Pinson

266.7 mi in | ~4h 50m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 65	239.6 mi	4h 18m
New Bradford Highway	21.7 mi	30m
John M. Harbert III Freeway	17.1 mi	18m
I 165	4.5 mi	5m
Sweeny Hollow Road	3.4 mi	6m
I 59	2.9 mi	3m
Chalkville Road	2.2 mi	4m
Center Point Road	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 65 — 239.6 mi, about 4h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Saint Louis Street

389 ft · 22 sec · Saint Louis Street

Turn left onto North Royal Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · North Royal Street

Turn right onto Congress Street

260 ft · 11 sec · Congress Street

Take the ramp

411 ft · 12 sec

Merge onto North Water Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · North Water Street

Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck

482 ft · 11 sec · Telegraph Road

Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck

4.5 mi · 5 min · I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 33 sec

Exit 1B Toward I 65: Montgomery

Merge onto I 65

240 mi · 4 hr 18 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Exit 250 Toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 459 North: Atlanta, Gadsden Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 459

17 mi · 18 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 33B Toward I 59 North: Gadsden Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 15 sec · this road

Exit 33A Toward I-59 North: Gadsden

Merge onto I 59

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 59

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 141 Toward Trussville, Pinson Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn slight left

128 ft · 10 sec

Exit 141 Toward Trussville, Pinson

Turn left onto CR 10

2.2 mi · 4 min · Chalkville Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Sweeny Hollow Road

3.4 mi · 6 min · Sweeny Hollow Road

Turn right onto AL 75

169 ft · 3 sec · Center Point Parkway

Continue on AL 75

1.0 mi · 1 min · Center Point Road

Turn sharp left onto AL 151

0.4 mi · 41 sec · AL 151

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on this road

200 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn slight right onto AL 79

0.3 mi · 26 sec · New Bradford Road

Continue on AL 79

22 mi · 30 min · New Bradford Highway

Enter roundabout onto AL 160

19 ft · 0 sec · AL 160

Continue on AL 160

0.8 mi · 1 min · AL 160

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

AL 160

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 36-minute journey, consider an early morning departure from Mobile. This allows you to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you join I-65. The longest stretch without a planned stop is nearly 240 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint of your drive. With a fuel cost estimate of $45, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before leaving Mobile. Given the efficient highway nature of this route, flexibility with your single stop is key to a comfortable trip.

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 148.3 miles from Mobile, AL, or about 2h 41m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 239.6 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 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 148.3 miles or 2h 41m 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 24m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Mobile, 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 Mobile, AL

This is one driving day of about 296.7 miles and 5h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mobile, 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 239.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 148.3 mi from Mobile, AL · 2h 41m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbiana, AL

148 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

Andalusia, 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 148.3 miles from Mobile, 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 239.6 miles.

Arriving in Cleveland, AL

The final approach into Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, 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

$44.81 one way

$89.62 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$49.19	$98.38
premium	$4.56	$53.25	$106.51
diesel	$5.61	$65.51	$131.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89	1	$31.15	$14.24
Efficient EV	74.2	0	$25.96	$11.87
EV Truck/SUV	118.7	1	$41.54	$18.99

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (66% 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 4 hours ago

Origin

Mobile, AL

Late night in Mobile on Wednesday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cleveland, AL

Late night in Cleveland on Wednesday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Columbiana, AL

148 mi in

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

6 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

5h 36m 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 Mobile, AL to Cleveland, AL covers 296.7 miles and takes about 5h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 65, New Bradford Highway, John M. Harbert III Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 148.3 miles from Mobile, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.81 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.

Between Mobile, AL and Cleveland, AL, road signs point toward Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Trussville and Pinson.

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Return Trip

Cleveland, AL to Mobile, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

294.5 mi 5h 36m

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Trip from Mobile, AL to Cleveland, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cleveland, AL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mobile, AL

Cleveland, AL

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 36m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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