Mobile to Gulf Shores drive: Best stops, distance & time
The distance from Mobile AL to Gulf Shores AL by car is 56 miles, with a 1h6m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Mobile to Gulf Shores drive are Meaher State Park, Alligator Alley and OWA.
Finding the best things to do between Mobile and Gulf Shores
The Mobile to Gulf Shores drive takes you between two of the most appealing spots on Alabama’s coast.
The Alabama Gulf Coast port city of Mobile has a perhaps unexpected party spirit. This is best explored in the bars, or at the Mobile Carnival Museum.
You can also head on board the USS Alabama battleship or visit the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico. The latter includes a ship simulator, where you can have a go at steering a ship through the Gulf.
Mobile experience options include a downtown food tour and a wildlife kayaking tour.
Top Mobile accommodation picks include the personality-packed Fort Conde Inn and the riverside Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza.
Gulf Shores has a touch of the Margaritaville lifestyle, which should come as no surprise given Jimmy Buffett’s sister runs restaurant and music bar LuLu’s here.
A little soft adventure can be mixed in with the turquoise water, white sand and fun-loving bars, however. Top Gulf Shores experiences include kayaking with dolphins and paddleboarding with Pure Aloha Adventures.
Fabulous beachside accommodation in Gulf Shores include the Lodge at Gulf State Park and the Phoenix All Suites West Hotel.
Mobile to Gulf Shores distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Mobile to Gulf Shores is 56 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and six minutes. The quickest route goes inland along the I-10, US-90 and AL-50.
The best stops to add to a Mobile to Gulf Shores road trip itinerary are Meaher State Park, Alligator Alley and OWA.
Mobile to Gulf Shores drive: Meaher State Park
Meaher State Park covers a sizable chunk of the wetlands in Mobile Bay near Spanish Fort. It’s a favourite spot for fishing, either from the pier or making use of the boat ramp. Both freshwater and saltwater fish are encountered here. If you just want to check out the local flora and fauna, there’s a boardwalk.
Best stops between Mobile and Gulf Shores: Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley in Summerdale AL is all about the gators. It features an elevated viewing platfom and boardwalk that weaves through the swamp. You’re best off sticking to that boardwalk, as around 600 alligators live in the swamp. Other animals you might spot include turtles, bull frogs and ospreys.
Mobile to Gulf Shores road trip attractions: OWA
OWA in Foley AL is a slightly weird hybrid of a resort and shopping mall. Unless you’ve come for the shopping, the main reason to visit is the Tropic Falls theme park. This consists of a large indoor water park with plenty of slides, plus a handful of outdoor rides. There are several stomach-churning fairground-style spin and plunge thrill rides, but the Rollin’ Thunder rollercoaster is arguably the highlight.
More Mobile AL road trips
Atlanta to Mobile AL | Mobile to Biloxi | Birmingham AL to Mobile AL | Mobile to Destin | Houston to Mobile AL | Jackson MS to Mobile AL | Memphis to Mobile AL | Montgomery AL to Mobile AL | Nashville to Mobile AL | New Orleans to Mobile AL | Mobile to Orange Beach | Mobile to Orlando | Mobile to Pensacola | Tallahassee to Mobile.
More Gulf Shores road trips
Birmingham AL to Gulf Shores | Destin to Gulf Shores | Memphis to Gulf Shores | Mobile to Gulf Shores | Nashville to Gulf Shores | New Orleans to Gulf Shores | Pensacola to Gulf Shores.