Traveling from Kimberly to Mobile covers 275 miles across Alabama, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 3 minutes. Because this trip is entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $42 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily utilize I-65 for the bulk of your travel, supplemented by I-165 and US-31 as you near your destination. This route offers a straightforward path through the Southeast, making it an efficient way to cross the state from north to south.
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
137.5 miles from Kimberly, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
263.5 mi
4h 47m
I 165
4.7 mi
5m
US 31
3.9 mi
5m
Saint Joseph Street
0.4 mi
1m
Mary Buckelew Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
Saint Louis Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 263.5 mi, about 4h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, AL and Mobile, AL.
1
Start on US 31
3.9 mi·5 min·US 31
2
Turn right onto Mary Buckelew Parkway
0.3 mi·34 sec·Mary Buckelew Parkway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
9.0 mi·9 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
254 mi·4 hr 37 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
10
Continue on I 165
4.7 mi·5 min·I 165
11
Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Saint Joseph Street
12
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
40 ft·1 sec·Saint Louis Street
13
Arrive at destination
Saint Louis Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 275-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel during the 5-hour transit. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach the Mobile area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 263.5-mile stretch on I-65 to ensure you don't run low between major service exits. Because the route is so heavily reliant on the interstate, take advantage of the flexibility this schedule provides by keeping your arrival window open. Staying alert is key, as the sustained highway speeds require consistent focus throughout the drive.
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 137.5 miles from Kimberly, AL, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 263.5 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 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.5 miles or 2h 32m 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 8m
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 Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, AL
This is one driving day of about 275 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Kimberly, 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 I 65 for about 263.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 14.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.4 mi into trip|~6m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
13.4 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
14 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
14.5 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
5
14.8 mi into trip|~18m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.53 one way
$83.06 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$45.59
$91.18
premium
$4.56
$49.36
$98.72
diesel
$5.61
$60.72
$121.43
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: 96.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.5
1
$28.87
$13.20
Efficient EV
68.8
0
$24.06
$11.00
EV Truck/SUV
110
1
$38.50
$17.60
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Kimberly, AL
Morning
in Kimberly on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mobile, AL
Morning
in Mobile on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 3m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a consistent interstate experience, as 99% of this route is comprised of highway driving. You will settle in for a significant stretch of 263.5 miles exclusively on I-65, which defines the majority of your time behind the wheel. The road maintains a steady, fast-paced character that prioritizes efficiency over technical turns or local backroads. While the landscape transitions as you head toward the coast, the driving environment remains remarkably uniform throughout the duration of the trip. It is a no-nonsense commute that allows you to cover long distances quickly.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 263.5 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 165. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near I 65.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 275 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kimberly, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Montgomery 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 275 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 263.5 miles on I 65. 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 4.4 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
