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Trip from Double Springs, AL to Mobile, AL

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

278.4 mi

448 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 38m ★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 43m

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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Downtown Double Springs, AL, AL

Double Springs, AL

Othmane Ettalbi

Downtown Mobile, AL, AL

Mobile, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Double Springs to Mobile covers 278.4 miles through the heart of Alabama. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 50 minutes, making this a manageable, albeit long, day trip. With a fuel budget of about $43, the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares including US 43, AL 13, and I-20. Since the trip is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent transition across the state's landscape. While you could push through in a single day, the duration suggests you should be prepared for a full day of travel. Consider your stamina before heading out, as this highway-focused journey requires steady focus to reach the Gulf Coast comfortably.

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

139.2 miles from Double Springs, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 43 153.3 mi 3h 2m
AL 13 32.8 mi 46m
I 20 25.6 mi 27m
Demopolis Highway 24 mi 34m
US 278 13.1 mi 18m
I 65 9.2 mi 10m
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 Double Springs, AL and Mobile, AL.

1

Start on Blake Drive

4 ft · 2 sec · Blake Drive
2

Turn right onto AL 195

1.2 mi · 2 min · AL 195
3

Turn left onto US 278; AL 195

13 mi · 17 min · US 278; AL 195
4

Continue on US 278; AL 13

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 278; AL 13
5

Turn left onto AL 13

33 mi · 46 min · AL 13
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on US 43

29 mi · 39 min · US 43
7

Continue on Main Avenue

1.7 mi · 3 min · Main Avenue
8

Turn left onto 5th Street

364 ft · 12 sec · 5th Street
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
10

Merge onto US 43; AL 69

1.1 mi · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11

Continue on I 359; AL 69

0.3 mi · 24 sec · I 359; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 359; US 11; AL 69

1.7 mi · 1 min · I 359; US 11; AL 69
13

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto I 20; I 59

26 mi · 27 min · I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward Union Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn left onto CR 208

1.3 mi · 3 min · M L King Highway
18

Merge onto US 11; US 43

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 11; US 43
19

Turn left onto 1st Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 1st Avenue
20

Merge onto US 43; AL 14

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Greensboro Street
21

Turn slight right onto US 43

24 mi · 34 min · Demopolis Highway
22

Turn left onto US 43

0.1 mi · 13 sec · East Capitol Street
23

Turn right onto US 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Cedar Avenue
24

Turn left onto US 43; US 80

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 43; US 80
25

Turn right onto US 43

17 mi · 19 min · US 43
26

Turn right onto US 43

107 mi · 2 hr 2 min · US 43
27

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
28

Merge onto I 65

9.2 mi · 10 min · I 65
29

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
30

Continue on I 165

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 165
31

Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Saint Joseph Street
32

Turn right onto Saint Louis Street

40 ft · 1 sec · Saint Louis Street
33

Arrive at destination

Saint Louis Street

Trip Plan

To keep your energy high, factor in at least one scheduled stop during your 5 hour and 50 minute drive. Since the route is heavily weighted toward highways, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion on the busier interstate sections. Keep your $43 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling intervals, especially before hitting the longest 153.3-mile stretch on US 43. Because this is a single-day trip, having the flexibility to adjust your departure time gives you a distinct advantage in managing fatigue. Always double-check your tire pressure before leaving Double Springs, as the sustained highway speeds will demand a reliable vehicle performance for the duration of the trip.

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 139.2 miles from Double Springs, AL, or about 3h 10m 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 61 miles or 1h 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 139.2 miles or 3h 10m 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 52m

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 Double Springs, 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 Double Springs, AL

This is one driving day of about 278.4 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Double Springs, 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.

Downtown Marion, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marion, AL

139 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Tuscaloosa, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marion, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.2 miles from Double Springs, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 40m in 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12057525100

Visit website

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

1.4 mi

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux - Tuscaloosa Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

2 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mobile, Alabama

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12512086893

Visit website

Monarch Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

1.2 mi

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Bama

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

1.4 mi

Subway

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+12057525100

Visit website

Glory Bound Gyro Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+12053490505

Visit website

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux - Tuscaloosa Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12057222045

Visit website

Whataburger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12053494506

Visit website

Swen Chinese Restaurant

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12053919887

Visit website

Felix's Fish Camp Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Spanish Fort, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+12516266710

Visit website

Glencoe's Gladden Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Exploreum Science Center & PCI Digital Dome Theater

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12512086893

Visit website

Monarch Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+12052108751

Visit website

Strange Brew Coffeehouse Bama

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: 5:30 am–12 pm

+12054697250

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

FLO Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Thomasville, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883568911

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Bienville Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12512081600

Visit website

History Museum of Mobile

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12512087569

Visit website

Mobile Carnival Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Closed

+12514323324

Visit website

Mardi Gras Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12512081600

Visit website

National Maritime Museum of the Gulf

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12514368901

Visit website

Colonial Fort Condé

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+12515445480

Visit website

Condé-Charlotte Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mobile, Alabama

Hours: 11 am–3:30 pm

+12514324722

Visit website

Harmon Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.2 and 106.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
14.2 mi into trip | ~20m in | AL 13

Turn left onto AL 13

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
77.6 mi into trip | ~1h 49m 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
80.7 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Take the exit

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

Use the slight right lane.
7
80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
106.8 mi into trip | ~2h 22m 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

$42.04 one way

$84.09 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.21 $46.16 $92.31
premium $4.56 $49.97 $99.94
diesel $5.61 $61.47 $122.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.5 1 $29.23 $13.36
Efficient EV 69.6 0 $24.36 $11.14
EV Truck/SUV 111.4 1 $38.98 $17.82

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026

Origin

Double Springs, AL

Morning in Double Springs on Tuesday

Local time

7:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mobile, AL

Morning in Mobile on Tuesday

Local time

7:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

61°F

Marion, AL

139 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

9 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 50m 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, as 88% of this 278.4-mile trek takes place on major roads. Your journey includes a significant 153.3-mile stretch on US 43, which serves as the backbone of your travel. The character of the road shifts from the initial local stretches to the more efficient, high-speed flow of the interstate segments. You will spend most of your time maintaining a consistent pace rather than navigating technical local turns. This mix of infrastructure keeps the drive moving efficiently, helping you avoid unnecessary delays as you transition toward your destination.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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 AL 13. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.2 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 23 significant decision points across 278.4 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 14.2 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.6 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 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 Double Springs, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Union along the way.

Union

106.8 mi in | ~2h 22m

About the Cities

Starting in Double Springs, AL

Full guide →

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 50m. Total distance: 278.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). 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.

The main spots that need attention: at 14.2 miles (AL 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 77.6 miles (US 43; AL 69 / Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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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