Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Munford, AL to Mobile, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
265.3 mi
427 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Munford, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
Mobile, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 265.3-mile journey from Munford, AL, to Mobile, AL, which will take approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. This drive is primarily focused on highway travel, with 97% of the route utilizing major roads like I-65 and AL-21. Given its duration and highway-centric profile, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops. Budget around $40 for fuel, making it an economical choice for covering ground efficiently. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Southeast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your drive.
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
132.7 miles from Munford, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 162.4 mi | 2h 55m |
| AL 21 | 90.2 mi | 1h 45m |
| Northern Boulevard | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| I 165 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Saint Joseph Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Cedars Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lions Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Saint Louis Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 162.4 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-65
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,064 veh/hr typical · worst 1,470
Quietest
1 AM
~126 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Munford, AL and Mobile, AL.
1
Start on Lions Road
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lions Road
2
Turn right onto Cedars Road
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Cedars Road
3
Turn right onto AL 21
90 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
AL 21
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Birmingham, Mobile
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto AL 152
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Northern Boulevard
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-65 South: Mobile
7
Merge onto I 65; US 82
162 mi
·
2 hr 55 min
·
I 65; US 82
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 165: Mobile
9
Continue on I 165
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 165
10
Turn right onto Saint Joseph Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Joseph Street
11
Turn right onto Saint Louis Street
40 ft
·
1 sec
·
Saint Louis Street
12
Arrive at destination
Saint Louis Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration under 5 hours, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to depart at your convenience. Consider an early morning start to maximize your time at your destination or to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. The longest stretch on I-65 is substantial, so ensure you're well-fueled and have any necessary rest stops planned before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, it's wise to check your tank levels before departing Munford to ensure you begin with ample fuel for the journey ahead.
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 132.7 miles from Munford, AL, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.4 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 34m 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 Munford, 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 Munford, AL
This is one driving day of about 265.3 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Munford, 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 162.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.7 miles from Munford, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Butler County Rest Area (Northbound)
0.1 mi from route
Butler County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Conecuh County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 259.7 — 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
|
Cedars Road
Turn right onto Cedars Road
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 21
Turn right onto AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
90.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward Birmingham, Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Birmingham, Mobile
5
96.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I-65 South: Mobile
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 South: Mobile
4
259.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 165: Mobile
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 165: Mobile
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.87 one way
$77.73 round trip
$3.72/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.13 | $43.15 | $86.30 |
| premium | $4.49 | $46.86 | $93.71 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $58.48 | $116.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.73 |
| Efficient EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.21 | $10.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.1 | 1 | $37.14 | $16.98 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Origin
Munford, AL
Afternoon in Munford on Friday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph
30% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Mobile, AL
Afternoon in Mobile on Friday
Local time
2:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph
23% chance
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
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 59m 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.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, designed for covering distance effectively. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on major roadways, with 97% of the trip occurring on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 162.4 miles along I-65, offering a sustained period of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the route does incorporate segments of AL-21 and Northern Boulevard, which may offer a slight variation in the driving experience as you progress towards your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.4 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and AL 21. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Cedars Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 59m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cedars Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AL 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.3 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
776 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
617 ft
Total Descent
1,226 ft
Highest Point
776 ft
~37.9 mi in
Elevation Range
768 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Munford, AL to Mobile, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
90.3 mi in
|
~1h 45m
About the Cities
Starting in Munford, AL
Full guide →Arriving in Mobile, AL
Full guide →Founded 1702
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 59m. Total distance: 265.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.4 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Cedars Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AL 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Mobile, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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