Hooters
Near the end, short detour
Pelham, Alabama
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+12056829464
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 20m
Distance
283.6 mi
456 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mobile, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Smoke Rise, AL
Marino Kurunić
The drive from Mobile, AL to Smoke Rise, AL covers 283.6 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, I 165, Smoke Rise Trail for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 274 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.83 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
141.8 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 274 mi | 4h 58m |
| I 165 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Smoke Rise Trail | 1.4 mi | 5m |
| Crosshill Lane | 0.9 mi | 3m |
| Crosshill Trail | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| AL 160 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ridge Trail | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| North Royal Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Mobile, AL and Smoke Rise, 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
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Continue on US 31
Enter roundabout onto AL 160
Continue on AL 160
Turn left onto Smoke Rise Trail
Continue on Smoke Rise Trail
Turn right onto Scenic Trail
Turn right onto Ridge Trail
Continue on Ridge Trail
Turn left onto Crosshill Trail
Turn left onto Crosshill Lane
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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 62 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.8 miles or 2h 36m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smoke Rise, 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 283.6 miles and 5h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 141.8 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 274 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Hoover, Alabama
Near the end, short detour
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12053267170
Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant
Spanish Fort, Alabama
Top Coffee Stop
Mobile, Alabama
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12512086893
Galleria Coffee 168
Hoover, Alabama
Near the end, short detour
Pelham, Alabama
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+12056829464
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hoover, AL
Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm
+12054032879
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hoover, Alabama
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12053267170
Near the start, short detour
Spanish Fort, Alabama
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+12516266710
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Montgomery, Alabama
Hours: 6 am–3 pm
+13343561944
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12512086893
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Hoover, Alabama
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+12055414348
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Greenville, Alabama
Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm
+13343712739
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Montgomery, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Greenville, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pelham, Alabama
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Greenville, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Greenville, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18883568911
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Clanton, Alabama
Near the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+12512081600
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12512087569
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: Closed
+12514323324
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: Open 24 hours
+12512081600
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+12514368901
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+12515445480
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Mobile, Alabama
Hours: 11 am–3:30 pm
+12514324722
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Calera, Alabama
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12056683435
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 280 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 US 31 South, AL 3 South, AL 160 East: Hayden, Corner
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto AL 160
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$42.83 one way
$85.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $47.02 | $94.03 |
| premium | $4.56 | $50.90 | $101.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.62 | $125.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
| Efficient EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.82 | $11.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.4 | 1 | $39.70 | $18.15 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Afternoon in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Smoke Rise on Saturday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
283.6 mi in 5h 20m, mostly highway — 274 mi of that is on I 65.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 165. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 20m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 279.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 283.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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