Origin
Mobile, AL
Evening in Mobile on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
6h 57m
Distance
371.6 mi
598 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mobile, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Florence, AL
Efrem Efre
Traveling from Mobile to Florence covers 371.6 miles across the state of Alabama, typically requiring about 6 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused route, you can realistically complete the journey in a single day if you stay focused behind the wheel. Budget approximately $57 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-65 before transitioning onto I-165 and the University of North Alabama Highway. While the trip is manageable in one go, you might consider an overnight stay if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This route takes you from the southern tip of the state up into the northern reaches, offering a straightforward path through the heart of the Southeast.
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
185.8 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Expect a serious interstate grind for the vast majority of this trip, as 82% of the journey is spent on highways. You will spend a significant chunk of your time on I-65, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 299.7 miles. The drive is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, prioritizing speed as you transition from the coastal region toward the northern hills. As you approach the final leg of the trip, the road shifts from the wide, fast-paced interstate environment to the more localized flow of I-165 and the University of North Alabama Highway. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience that demands steady attention throughout the nearly seven-hour duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and University of North Alabama Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 371.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Mobile, AL to Florence, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Moulton along the way.
Moulton
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 299.7 mi | 5h 25m |
| University of North Alabama Highway | 55.4 mi | 1h 6m |
| I 165 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Woodward Avenue | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Wheeler Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| US 43 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Pine Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Royal Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mobile, AL and Florence, AL.
Start on Saint Louis Street
Turn left onto North Royal Street
Turn right onto Congress Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto North Water Street
Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck
Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Turn left onto AL 157
Continue on AL 157
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Turn right onto South Pine Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 371.6-mile trek, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the major interstate corridors. Since the route includes one recommended stop, plan to break up your 299.7-mile stretch on I-65 to stretch your legs and refresh before the final transition to the University of North Alabama Highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long interstate segments to ensure you stay within your $57 budget by refueling at major stops. Because the drive is highway-intensive, check traffic reports for I-65 before you leave to anticipate any construction or delays that could add time to your seven-hour estimate. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to extend your break if fatigue sets in during the long haul.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 82 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.8 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 371.6 miles and 6h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 185.8 mi from Mobile, AL · 3h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 185.8 miles from Mobile, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 299.7 miles.
The final approach into Florence, 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 Florence, 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
$56.81 one way
$113.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $62.31 | $124.62 |
| premium | $4.61 | $67.44 | $134.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.56 | $165.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.02 | $17.84 |
| Efficient EV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.52 | $14.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.6 | 1 | $52.02 | $23.78 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Mobile on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Florence on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
186 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
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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