Traveling from Mobile to Florence covers 371.6 miles across the state of Alabama, typically requiring about 6 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused route, you can realistically complete the journey in a single day if you stay focused behind the wheel. Budget approximately $57 for fuel to cover the distance, which primarily utilizes I-65 before transitioning onto I-165 and the University of North Alabama Highway. While the trip is manageable in one go, you might consider an overnight stay if you prefer a more relaxed pace. This route takes you from the southern tip of the state up into the northern reaches, offering a straightforward path through the heart of the Southeast.
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
185.8 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
299.7 mi
5h 25m
University of North Alabama Highway
55.4 mi
1h 6m
I 165
4.5 mi
5m
Woodward Avenue
4.2 mi
7m
Wheeler Highway
4.2 mi
5m
US 43
1.8 mi
3m
South Pine Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Royal Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mobile, AL and Florence, AL.
1
Start on Saint Louis Street
389 ft·22 sec·Saint Louis Street
2
Turn left onto North Royal Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·North Royal Street
3
Turn right onto Congress Street
260 ft·11 sec·Congress Street
4
Take the ramp
411 ft·12 sec
5
Merge onto North Water Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·North Water Street
6
Continue on US 90; US 98 Truck
482 ft·11 sec·Telegraph Road
7
Turn straight onto I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
4.5 mi·5 min·I 165; US 90; US 98 Truck
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·33 sec
Exit 1BToward I 65: Montgomery
9
Merge onto I 65
300 mi·5 hr 25 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 310Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
11
Turn left onto AL 157
200 ft·3 sec·Section Line Road
12
Continue on AL 157
55 mi·1 hr 6 min·University of North Alabama Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157
4.2 mi·5 min·Wheeler Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
4.2 mi·7 min·Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
1.8 mi·3 min·US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
437 ft·15 sec·West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto South Pine Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·South Pine Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Pine Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 371.6-mile trek, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid potential congestion on the major interstate corridors. Since the route includes one recommended stop, plan to break up your 299.7-mile stretch on I-65 to stretch your legs and refresh before the final transition to the University of North Alabama Highway. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long interstate segments to ensure you stay within your $57 budget by refueling at major stops. Because the drive is highway-intensive, check traffic reports for I-65 before you leave to anticipate any construction or delays that could add time to your seven-hour estimate. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to extend your break if fatigue sets in during the long haul.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.8 miles from Mobile, AL, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 82 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.8 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Florence, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mobile, 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 Mobile, AL
This is one driving day of about 371.6 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Mobile, 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 299.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 371.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 1B
Toward I 65: Montgomery
5
5.6 mi into trip|~7m in|I 65
Merge onto I 65
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
305.4 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Take the exit toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 310
Toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
5
361 mi into trip|~6h 40m in|US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20; AL 157 / Wheeler Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
371.3 mi into trip|~6h 56m in|West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Turn left onto West Doctor Hicks Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.12 one way
$112.24 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$61.61
$123.21
premium
$4.56
$66.70
$133.40
diesel
$5.61
$82.04
$164.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.5
1
$39.02
$17.84
Efficient EV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.86
EV Truck/SUV
148.6
1
$52.02
$23.78
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Mobile, AL
Evening
in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
8:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Florence, AL
Evening
in Florence on Saturday
Local time
8:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
186 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 256.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a serious interstate grind for the vast majority of this trip, as 82% of the journey is spent on highways. You will spend a significant chunk of your time on I-65, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 299.7 miles. The drive is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, prioritizing speed as you transition from the coastal region toward the northern hills. As you approach the final leg of the trip, the road shifts from the wide, fast-paced interstate environment to the more localized flow of I-165 and the University of North Alabama Highway. Prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience that demands steady attention throughout the nearly seven-hour duration.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and University of North Alabama Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
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 371.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Mobile, AL to Florence, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Moulton along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 371.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 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 Florence, 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 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 5.6 miles (I 65): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 305.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Florence, AL before the return drive.
