Fayette to Mobile is 238.8 miles and takes about 4h 56m via US 43 and AL 171, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its mostly highway profile, this drive is a straightforward connection between two points rather than a scenic tour. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
119.4 miles from Fayette, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
124.7 mi
2h 22m
AL 171
25 mi
34m
Demopolis Highway
24 mi
34m
I 20
22.7 mi
24m
I 65
9.2 mi
10m
Temple Avenue South
7.5 mi
11m
Rose Boulevard
4.9 mi
6m
I 165
4.7 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 124.7 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,585 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,956
Quietest
1 AM
~132 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Fayette, AL and Mobile, AL.
1
Start on AL 18
39 ft·8 sec·Columbus Street East
2
Turn left onto Temple Avenue South
7.5 mi·11 min·Temple Avenue South
3
Continue on AL 171
25 mi·34 min·AL 171
4
Turn left onto Shamblin Cutoff
0.3 mi·57 sec·Shamblin Cutoff
5
Turn right onto Rose Boulevard
4.9 mi·6 min·Rose Boulevard
6
Continue on CR 16
2.5 mi·3 min·Boone Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on Joe Mallisham Parkway
4.0 mi·6 min·Joe Mallisham Parkway
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·38 sec
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
23 mi·24 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward UnionUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto CR 208
1.3 mi·3 min·M L King Highway
12
Merge onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·US 11; US 43
13
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
14
Merge onto US 43; AL 14
0.3 mi·33 sec·Greensboro Street
15
Turn slight right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·Demopolis Highway
16
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
17
Turn right onto US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·North Cedar Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
1.0 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
19
Turn right onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
20
Turn right onto US 43
107 mi·2 hr 2 min·US 43
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
22
Merge onto I 65
9.2 mi·10 min·I 65
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi·41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
24
Continue on I 165
4.7 mi·5 min·I 165
25
Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Saint Joseph Street
26
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
40 ft·1 sec·Saint Louis Street
27
Arrive at destination
Saint Louis Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 56m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and ensure you arrive with plenty of time. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself; consider a quick break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 124.7-mile stretch on US 43, as services might be less frequent. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so plan accordingly before you set off.
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 119.4 miles from Fayette, AL, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.7 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 53 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.4 miles or 2h 38m 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 5m
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 Fayette, 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 Fayette, AL
This is one driving day of about 238.8 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Fayette, 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 124.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 73.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Temple Avenue South
Turn left onto Temple Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
32.4 mi into trip|~45m in|Shamblin Cutoff
Turn left onto Shamblin Cutoff
Navigation decision point
5
44.4 mi into trip|~1h 3m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
5
73.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 43; AL 14 / Greensboro Street
Merge onto US 43; AL 14 / Greensboro Street
Merge point - match speed before joining
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.98 one way
$69.97 round trip
$3.72/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.13
$38.84
$77.68
premium
$4.49
$42.18
$84.35
diesel
$5.60
$52.64
$105.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.07
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.90
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.43
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Fayette, AL
Night
in Fayette on Saturday
Local time
10:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 22 at 10:13PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Destination
Mobile, AL
Night
in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
10:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 22 at 10:13PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
73°F
Newbern, AL
119 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
5 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
4h 56m 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?
This route is predominantly highway, with 82% of the drive on major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 124.7 miles on US 43, offering a good amount of cruising time. After this main highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads like AL 171 and Demopolis Highway, which will feel more like local travel. Expect a noticeable shift from high-speed highway travel to a more moderated pace as you get closer to your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 124.7 mi on US 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 43 and AL 171. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Temple Avenue South.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 238.8 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: near the start (Temple Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 32.4 miles (Shamblin Cutoff): Navigation decision point; at 44.4 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
420 ft8 ft
Total Climb
300 ft
Total Descent
652 ft
Highest Point
420 ft
~170.6 mi in
Elevation Range
411 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 Fayette, 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 4h 56m. Total distance: 238.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 124.7 miles on US 43. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Temple Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 32.4 miles (Shamblin Cutoff): Navigation decision point; at 44.4 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Mobile, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
