Trip from Carbon Hill, AL to Mobile, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 22m

Distance

258.8 mi

417 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

5h 9m ★

6 AM

5h 23m

8 AM

5h 50m

10 AM

5h 32m

12 PM

5h 29m

3 PM

5h 33m

5 PM

5h 48m

8 PM

5h 15m

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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city in Walker County, Alabama, United States of America

Carbon Hill, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Mobile, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 258.8-mile journey from Carbon Hill, AL to Mobile, AL is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 22 minutes of driving time. The route primarily utilizes US 43 and Demopolis Highway, with a significant portion also on I-20, making it a highway-focused drive. With a projected fuel cost of $39, this drive offers a straightforward transition through Alabama's Southeast region. While one stop is noted, the longest stretch without a major road change is 153.3 miles, so plan accordingly. This trip is well-suited for a single day's travel.

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

129.4 miles from Carbon Hill, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 43	153.3 mi	3h 2m
I 20	25.6 mi	27m
Demopolis Highway	24 mi	34m
AL 13	20.8 mi	28m
I 65	9.2 mi	10m
Northwest 1st Avenue	6.4 mi	9m
I 165	4.7 mi	5m
US 11	4.6 mi	6m

Longest stretch: US 43 — 153.3 mi, about 3h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Nauvoo Road

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Nauvoo Road

Turn right onto AL 118

6.4 mi · 9 min · Northwest 1st Avenue

Turn left onto AL 13

21 mi · 28 min · AL 13

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 43

29 mi · 39 min · US 43

Continue on Main Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Avenue

Turn left onto 5th Street

364 ft · 12 sec · 5th Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Merge onto US 43; AL 69

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.3 mi · 24 sec · I 359; AL 69

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69

1.7 mi · 1 min · I 359; US 11; AL 69

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 20; I 59

26 mi · 27 min · I 20; I 59

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward Union Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto CR 208

1.3 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway

Merge onto US 11; US 43

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 11; US 43

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 1st Avenue

Merge onto US 43; AL 14

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Greensboro Street

Turn slight right onto US 43

24 mi · 34 min · Demopolis Highway

Turn left onto US 43

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Capitol Street

Turn right onto US 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Cedar Avenue

Turn left onto US 43; US 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 43; US 80

Turn right onto US 43

17 mi · 19 min · US 43

Turn right onto US 43

107 mi · 2 hr 2 min · US 43

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 65

9.2 mi · 10 min · I 65

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 165: Mobile

Continue on I 165

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 165

Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Saint Joseph Street

Turn right onto Saint Louis Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Saint Louis Street

Arrive at destination

Saint Louis Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 22-minute duration, departing Carbon Hill in the morning is advisable to reach Mobile with ample daylight. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 150 miles on US 43, so be sure to fuel up before embarking and consider a mid-drive break. While only one stop is officially noted, you'll find opportunities for rest and refueling along the way. With a fuel cost estimated at $39, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a single day.

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 129.4 miles from Carbon Hill, AL, or about 2h 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 57 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 129.4 miles or 2h 53m 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 27m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Carbon Hill, 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 Carbon Hill, AL

This is one driving day of about 258.8 miles and 5h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Carbon Hill, 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 US 43 for about 153.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thomasville, AL

129 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.

Popular next leg

Thomasville, AL to Mobile, AL

96.2 mi · 1h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Tuscaloosa, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thomasville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129.4 miles from Carbon Hill, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 43 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Spanish Fort, Alabama

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 258.8

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12516266710

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mobile, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 258.8

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12512086893

Visit website

Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 258.8

Spanish Fort, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12516266710

Visit website

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.5

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12053490505

Visit website

Swen Chinese Restaurant

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.5

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12053919887

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 258.8

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

FLO Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 166.4

Thomasville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 55.5

Northport, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12055623220

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.7 and 87.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.7 mi into trip | ~9m in | AL 13

Turn left onto AL 13

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

58 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in | US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard

Merge onto US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

61.1 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

61.3 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

87.2 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward Union

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Union

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.08 one way

$78.17 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$42.91	$85.81
premium	$4.56	$46.45	$92.90
diesel	$5.61	$57.14	$114.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	77.6	0	$27.17	$12.42
Efficient EV	64.7	0	$22.65	$10.35
EV Truck/SUV	103.5	1	$36.23	$16.56

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

30 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Carbon Hill, AL

Afternoon in Carbon Hill on Sunday

Local time

12:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mobile, AL

Afternoon in Mobile on Sunday

Local time

12:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Thomasville, AL

129 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

2 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 22m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the drive taking place on major roadways. You'll spend a considerable amount of time on US 43, including a lengthy 153.3-mile segment that forms the backbone of the trip. While I-20 contributes to the highway share, the presence of Demopolis Highway suggests you'll also navigate some well-traveled state routes. This drive offers a consistent pace, largely characterized by efficient travel between points.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 153.3 mi on US 43.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in near AL 13.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 258.8 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 6.7 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Carbon Hill, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.

Union

87.2 mi in | ~1h 54m

About the Cities

Arriving in Mobile, AL

Full guide →

For issues specific to mobile phones and smartphone usage, see Mobile phones. Mobile is a city in the state of Alabama in the South of the United States of America with almost a half million people in the metro area. Mobile is a historic, diverse port city with a strong southern culture and heritage. The original capital of French Louisiana, Mobile is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 258.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 153.3 miles on US 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mobile, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mobile, AL before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Carbon Hill, AL or browse trips ending in Mobile, AL.

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Trip from Carbon Hill, AL to Mobile, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

Swen Chinese Restaurant

Glencoe's Gladden Restaurant

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

Monarch Espresso

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Bama

ChargePoint Charging Station

FLO Charging Station

AmpUp Charging Station

Bienville Square

History Museum of Mobile

Mobile Carnival Museum

Mardi Gras Park

National Maritime Museum of the Gulf

Colonial Fort Condé

Condé-Charlotte Museum

Van De Graaff Park and Arboretum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Carbon Hill, AL

Mobile, AL

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 22m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Mobile, AL

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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