Mobile to Winfield is 257.7 miles and takes about 5h 24m via US 43, AL 171, and I 20, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region up to another part of the Southeast. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this route is best suited for a single-day drive. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on interstates and main highways, making it a straightforward transit rather than an exploration-focused excursion. Consider this a practical way to cover ground between these two points in the state.
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
128.8 miles from Mobile, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 43
148.8 mi
2h 57m
AL 171
31.7 mi
43m
I 20
23 mi
24m
Temple Avenue North
17.1 mi
24m
I 65
9.2 mi
10m
Rose Boulevard
4.9 mi
6m
Tuscaloosa Street
4.6 mi
6m
I 165
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 43
— 148.8 mi, about 2h 57m
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 Mobile, AL and Winfield, 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
23 mi·24 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Northport, Tuscaloosa, Western BypassUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on Joe Mallisham Parkway
4.1 mi·6 min·Joe Mallisham Parkway
27
Continue on CR 16
2.4 mi·3 min·Boone Boulevard
28
Continue on Rose Boulevard
4.9 mi·6 min·Rose Boulevard
29
Turn left onto Shamblin Cutoff
0.3 mi·1 min·Shamblin Cutoff
30
Turn right onto AL 171
32 mi·43 min·AL 171
31
Turn slight right onto AL 171
0.8 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue Southeast
32
Continue on US 43; AL 171
1.1 mi·2 min·2nd Avenue Northeast
33
Continue on US 43; AL 171
17 mi·24 min·Temple Avenue North
34
Turn left onto US 43; AL 118; AL 171
129 ft·3 sec·Bankhead Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
US 43; AL 118; AL 171
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 24m drive, aim to depart Mobile early in the morning. This allows you to complete the 257.7-mile trip before evening and take advantage of the single recommended day. With only one stop suggested, plan your break strategically around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 148.8-mile stretch on US 43, as services can be spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost is around $38, so budget accordingly.
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 128.8 miles from Mobile, AL, or about 2h 29m 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.8 miles or 2h 29m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winfield, 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 257.7 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 194.6 — 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
5
15 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 430: Creola
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 430: Creola
5
15.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 430: Creola
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 430: Creola
7
194.6 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward Northport, Tuscaloosa, Western Bypass
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Northport, Tuscaloosa, Western Bypass
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.12 one way
$80.23 round trip
$3.95/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.22
$88.45
premium
$4.71
$47.80
$95.59
diesel
$6.18
$62.69
$125.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.06
$12.37
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.55
$10.31
EV Truck/SUV
103.1
1
$36.08
$16.49
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Mobile, AL
Morning
in Mobile on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 1:15AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 15 at 11:33PM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Winfield, AL
Morning
in Winfield on Saturday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
W 0 to 20 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 1:15AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 15 at 11:33PM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
84°F
Livingston, AL
129 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
6 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
5h 24m 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 driving, with 86% of the 257.7 miles on major roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 148.8 miles on US 43. You'll experience relatively uninterrupted cruising for extended periods. Expect some merging and increased traffic density as you approach and navigate sections of I 20.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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?
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 around 5.1 miles in.
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 23 significant decision points across 257.7 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 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
480 ft8 ft
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
286 ft
Highest Point
480 ft
~257.7 mi in
Elevation Range
472 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 Winfield, AL, road signs point toward 430: Satsuma, Creola, 430: Creola, Northport, Tuscaloosa and Western Bypass.
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 5h 24m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). 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.
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 Winfield, 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: 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 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Winfield, AL before the return drive.
