Traveling from Mobile to Tuscaloosa covers 200.7 miles through the heart of Alabama. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 4 hours and 1 minute, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of about $31, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since the route is entirely contained within the Southeast region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographical landscape throughout the transit. While you could easily complete this in one go, having the flexibility to make at least one scheduled stop will make the time behind the wheel feel much shorter. Overall, this is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that prioritizes efficiency over meandering backroads.
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
100.3 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
148.8 mi
2h 57m
I 20
25.8 mi
27m
I 65
9.2 mi
10m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
I 165
4.5 mi
5m
I 359
2.5 mi
2m
M L King Highway
1.2 mi
2m
South Cedar Avenue
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mobile, AL and Tuscaloosa, 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
9.2 mi·10 min·I 65
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward 430: Creola
12
Keep slight left at fork
124 ft·3 sec
Toward 430: Creola
13
Merge onto US 43
82 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 43
14
Merge onto US 43
24 mi·27 min·US 43
15
Turn left onto US 43
17 mi·19 min·US 43
16
Turn left onto US 43; US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·US 43; US 80
17
Continue on US 43
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cedar Avenue
18
Turn left onto US 43
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Capitol Street
19
Turn right onto US 43
24 mi·34 min·US 43
20
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·1st Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 11; US 43
4.6 mi·6 min·Tuscaloosa Street
22
Turn left onto CR 208
1.2 mi·2 min·M L King Highway
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
24
Merge onto I 20; I 59
26 mi·27 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 71BToward I 359 North, I 69 North: TuscaloosaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 359; US 11; AL 69
2.1 mi·2 min·I 359; US 11; AL 69
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 359; AL 69
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 359; AL 69
28
Continue on US 43; AL 69
0.5 mi·1 min·Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Turn right onto University Boulevard
284 ft·10 sec·University Boulevard
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left
168 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours near the urban centers of Mobile or Tuscaloosa. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refresh your fuel levels, especially given the lengthy 148.8-mile stretch on US 43. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long segment, as consistent highway speeds will influence your total consumption. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to leave mid-morning or early afternoon without worrying about losing daylight. Staying mindful of your pacing during the highway-heavy portions will ensure you arrive in Tuscaloosa feeling rested rather than fatigued.
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 100.3 miles from Mobile, AL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.8 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscaloosa, 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 200.7 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 US 43 for about 148.8 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 200.7 — 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
14.9 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 430: Satsuma, Creola
8
197.5 mi into trip|~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71B
Toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
6
200.6 mi into trip|~4h in|University Boulevard
Turn right onto University Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
200.7 mi into trip|~4h in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$33.27
$66.55
premium
$4.56
$36.02
$72.05
diesel
$5.61
$44.31
$88.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.2
0
$21.07
$9.63
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.56
$8.03
EV Truck/SUV
80.3
1
$28.10
$12.84
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Mobile, AL
Night
in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Night
in Tuscaloosa on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
78°F
Thomasville, AL
100 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 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 1m 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 highly efficient transit, as 95% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on major thoroughfares, including I-65, I-20, and US 43. Be prepared for a significant stretch of focus, as your longest uninterrupted segment covers 148.8 miles on US 43 alone. Because the route relies so heavily on these fast-paced roads, the driving experience is consistent and predictable rather than technical. You will find that the rhythm of the drive stays steady from start to finish, allowing you to maintain a reliable pace without the need for constant navigation adjustments.
95% 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: 148.8 mi on US 43.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 5.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 200.7 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 5.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
310 ft8 ft
Total Climb
446 ft
Total Descent
229 ft
Highest Point
310 ft
~71.7 mi in
Elevation Range
302 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mobile, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola and 430: Creola.
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 4h 1m. Total distance: 200.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.8 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 Tuscaloosa, 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 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 197.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Tuscaloosa, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
