Jazz, creole food & bayous
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · New Orleans & Gulf Coast
New Orleans to Mobile
New Orleans and Mobile sit about 212 km (132 mi) apart in a straight line, with Mobile to the north-east. It is leg 1 of 2 on our New Orleans & Gulf Coast itinerary, a 5-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 212 km · 132 mi
- Est. road distance
- 254–297 km
- Est. drive time
- 2 h 45 min – 4 h 30 min
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our New Orleans & Gulf Coast itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 254–297 km (158–184 mi) of road and 2 h 45 min – 4 h 30 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
A rental car works best for the stretch along the Gulf, since the three stops are connected by highway. In New Orleans itself, streetcars, rideshares and walking cover most needs, so many groups park the car for the city days.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Mobile
A day stop: the battleship, Mardi Gras history downtown and oysters on the causeway.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Tour a WWII battleship, the submarine USS Drum and an aircraft pavilion.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
65 acres of formal gardens on the Fowl River south of the city.
Wintzell's Oyster House
Downtown oyster house since 1938 serving oysters fried, stewed or nude.
Callaghan's Irish Social Club
Neighborhood bar with a famous burger and live music in an old corner building.
Mobile Carnival Museum
Mardi Gras gowns, trains and floats from America's oldest Carnival city.
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Greek Revival cathedral with German stained glass, steps from downtown.
Before you leave New Orleans
Plan 3 days: the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street, the Garden District by streetcar, and a museum day.
On this curated route
Where New Orleans → Mobile sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Mobile to New Orleans is the same 212 km in a straight line, heading west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans high | 16° | 18° | 21° | 24° | 28° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 29° | 26° | 21° | 17° |
| Mobile high | 15° | 17° | 20° | 24° | 27° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 26° | 21° | 17° |
| New Orleans rain | 98 | 107 | 104 | 128 | 119 | 176 | 173 | 190 | 129 | 104 | 77 | 128 |
| Mobile rain | 102 | 116 | 121 | 128 | 118 | 173 | 180 | 185 | 142 | 101 | 85 | 139 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Mobile month guides.
New Orleans to Mobile: questions travelers ask
How far is New Orleans from Mobile?
New Orleans is about 212 km (132 mi) from Mobile in a straight line, with Mobile to the north-east. By road, we estimate 254–297 km (158–184 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from New Orleans to Mobile?
An estimated 2 h 45 min – 4 h 30 min, assuming 254–297 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from New Orleans to Mobile?
Our New Orleans & Gulf Coast itinerary includes this leg. New Orleans & Gulf Coast runs about 5 days across 3 stops, best in Feb – May.
Onward from Mobile
- Mobile to Gulf Shores 60 km
Guides for both ends
- New Orleans travel guide
- New Orleans weather best time to visit
- Mobile travel guide
- Mobile weather best time to visit
Mobile by month
Plan New Orleans → Mobile with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.