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
Traffic on I-359
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,412 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~125 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbon Hill, AL and Mobile, AL.
1
Start on Nauvoo Road
0.3 mi·30 sec·Nauvoo Road
2
Turn right onto AL 118
6.4 mi·9 min·Northwest 1st Avenue
3
Turn left onto AL 13
21 mi·28 min·AL 13
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 43
29 mi·39 min·US 43
5
Continue on Main Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Avenue
6
Turn left onto 5th Street
364 ft·12 sec·5th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
8
Merge onto US 43; AL 69
1.1 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.3 mi·24 sec·I 359; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69
1.7 mi·1 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward UnionUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CR 208
1.3 mi·3 min·M L King Highway
16
Merge onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·US 11; US 43
17
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
18
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
0.3 mi·33 sec·Greensboro Street
19
Turn slight right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·Demopolis Highway
20
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
21
Turn right onto US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·North Cedar Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
1.0 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
23
Turn right onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
24
Turn right onto US 43
107 mi·2 hr 2 min·US 43
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
26
Merge onto I 65
9.2 mi·10 min·I 65
27
Take the exit
0.6 mi·41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
28
Continue on I 165
4.7 mi·5 min·I 165
29
Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Saint Joseph Street
30
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
40 ft·1 sec·Saint Louis Street
31
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.
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
6.7 mi into trip|~9m in|AL 13
Turn left onto AL 13
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
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.
5
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.
7
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.
6
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
$35.93 one way
$71.85 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$40.20
$80.39
premium
$4.29
$43.70
$87.40
diesel
$4.80
$48.87
$97.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
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, 2026-07-13.
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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Carbon Hill, AL
Late night
in Carbon Hill on Monday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:43PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:14PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Mobile, AL
Late night
in Mobile on Monday
Local time
5:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 5 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:43PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:14PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
91°F
Newbern, 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
7 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.
More Details
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 Effort8/10
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
562 ft8 ft
Total Climb
343 ft
Total Descent
810 ft
Highest Point
562 ft
~18.5 mi in
Elevation Range
553 ft
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.
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.
Top landmarks
•USS Alabama — 1942 South Dakota-class battleship
•USS Drum — 1941 Gato-class submarine
•Battleship Memorial Park — park in Mobile, Alabama, United States
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.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
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.
