Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
225.3 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
The drive from Mobile, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 225.3 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Royal Street, Congress Street, North Water Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
112.6 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 33m drive with frequent turns across 225.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Royal Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Congress Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Water Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Telegraph Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 430 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Cedar Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Capitol Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Mobile, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
Start on Saint Louis Street
Turn left onto North Royal Street
Turn right onto Congress Street
Take the ramp left
Merge slight right onto North Water Street
Continue on Telegraph Road
Turn straight
Keep slight right to continue on I 65: Montgomery
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
Keep slight left to continue on 430: Creola
Keep slight left to continue on 430: Creola
Merge slight left
Merge slight left
Turn left
Turn left
Continue on South Cedar Avenue
Turn left onto East Capitol Street
Turn right
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
Turn right onto Tuscaloosa Street
Turn left onto M L King Highway
Take the ramp right
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Merge slight left
Continue straight
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Turn left
Arrive at your 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 80 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.6 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscaloosa, 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 225.3 miles and 3h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.6 mi from Mobile, AL · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 112.6 miles from Mobile, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.60 one way
$61.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $34.15 | $68.30 |
| premium | $4.15 | $36.81 | $73.62 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $33.26 | $66.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.81 |
| Efficient EV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.71 | $9.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.1 | 1 | $31.54 | $14.42 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Butler, AL
113 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Mobile, AL or browse trips ending in Tuscaloosa, AL.
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