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Drive Time
6h 49m
Distance
367.5 mi
591 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
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
Muscle Shoals, AL
Tolga Ahmetler
The drive from Mobile, AL to Muscle Shoals, AL covers 367.5 miles and takes about 6h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, University of North Alabama Highway, I 165 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 299.7 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.50 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
183.8 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
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This is a 6h 49m highway drive covering 367.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and University of North Alabama Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 299.7 miles on I 65.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and University of North Alabama Highway. You will hit about 11 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 367.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17 / Woodward Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mobile, AL to Muscle Shoals, 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 |
| Wheeler Highway | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Woodward Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| North Royal Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Water Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Telegraph Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mobile, AL and Muscle Shoals, 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
Turn right onto Avalon Avenue
Arrive at destination
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 81 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.8 miles or 3h 21m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Muscle Shoals, 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 367.5 miles and 6h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 183.8 mi from Mobile, AL · 3h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 183.8 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 Muscle Shoals, 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 Muscle Shoals, 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
$55.50 one way
$111.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $60.93 | $121.85 |
| premium | $4.56 | $65.96 | $131.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.14 | $162.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.59 | $17.64 |
| Efficient EV | 91.9 | 1 | $32.16 | $14.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147 | 1 | $51.45 | $23.52 |
Gas CO2
129 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
Morning in Mobile on Wednesday
Local time
7:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Muscle Shoals on Wednesday
Local time
7:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
79°F
Columbiana, AL
184 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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