Planning a road trip to Dauphin Island can be a great way to spend some quality time with your family even before your vacation officially begins! There are tons of great cities that you can experience on your way to Dauphin Island, no matter where you’re starting from. Today, though, we’ll be helping you plan your road trip from Montgomery, Alabama. It takes just a few hours to reach all the best Dauphin Island beach rentals, but with so much fun to be had along the way, the trip is sure to fly by!
How Far is the Drive from Montgomery to Dauphin Island?
The drive to Dauphin Island from Montgomery takes just 3 hours, so you can easily leave Montgomery in the morning and be on the beach by lunchtime! Starting in Montgomery, you’ll need to make your way to I-65 S. While you’re on the interstate, you’ll pass several incredible towns where you can make some stops, but we’ll get to that in a moment! All in all, you’ll stay on I-65 S for around 160 miles before eventually taking Exit 9 for I-165 S toward Prichard/Downtown Mobile.
At this point, you’ve already completed the longest leg of your journey, and you can take a well-deserved break in Mobile. From there, make your way to I-10 W via the ramp to Pascagoula. After about 9 miles, take Exit 17A-17B to merge onto AL-193 S/Rangeline Road toward Dauphin Island. You’ll stay on this road for 8 miles before turning onto AL-193 S, which you’ll then follow for another 18 miles. You’ve then made your way to Dauphin Island!
Things to Do in Montgomery
Before you head out on your road trip in the first place, there are tons of fun things to do in Montgomery! Since your drive is so short, you can easily fit in several of these activities throughout the morning before you hit the road. You can start by learning some local history as you head to destinations like the Civil Rights Memorial, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the Rosa Parks Museum, and The Legacy Museum. You can also take a tour of the Alabama State Capitol while you’re here!
If you’re interested in wildlife, don’t miss a trip to the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, where you can get up close and personal with all kinds of fascinating animals. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is an excellent option if you’re looking for an indoor activity, and if you’re interested in music, don’t miss a trip to the Hank Williams Museum. Literary fans will want to pay a visit to the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum as well. There’s truly something for everyone here in Montgomery, so give yourself plenty of time to explore the city before you hit the road!
What to Do In Between
Once you head out, you can make your first stop just outside of Montgomery in a small town called Hope Hull. If you didn’t make it to the zoo in Montgomery, Hope Hull is another great place to see amazing wildlife. This city is home to the Alabama Safari Park, a fantastic drive-through safari experience that allows you to spot zebras, camels, giraffes, and more, all from the comfort of your car!
Further down the road, stop in the town of Greenville to get out and stretch your legs. You can wander through the High Horse Gallery to see the works of more than 85 artists from around the world, or you can find a unique souvenir by stopping at Nancy’s Heirloom Shoppe. This is also a great place to stop and eat lunch if you find yourself getting peckish.
Closer toward Mobile, you can also stop in the town of Atmore. Atmore is home to both indoor and outdoor attractions for your family to enjoy. Head into the Poarch Band of Creek Indians Museum to learn more about the native peoples of the area or wander through nature at the Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve. If you’re feeling lucky, you might even want to pay a visit to the Wind Creek Casino!
Things to Do in Mobile
By this point, you’ve made it to Mobile. If you haven’t taken the chance to get out and explore yet, now is the time to do it! Mobile is an incredible place for history lovers, offering fascinating attractions like Battleship Memorial Park and the notable USS Alabama, Colonial Fort Condé, and the Mobile Carnival Museum. If you want to escape the city and get into nature, experience beautiful, lush surroundings at the Bellingrath Gardens and Home.
The Mobile Museum of Art has tons of beautiful works for you and your family to enjoy, or if your kids are interested in science, you definitely won’t want to miss a trip to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. There are so many more museums to explore throughout the city that it’s impossible to name them all! Of course, you can also grab some delicious food or find a unique souvenir before you make the last leg of your trip.
Things to Do in Dauphin Island
At last, you’ve gotten to your final destination: Dauphin Island! Your trip here will have been well worth it since there’s so much to do and see right near your rental property. The nearby Fort Morgan State Historic Site or Fort Gaines both have tons of unique history waiting for you to discover, and they’re both great destinations for enjoying the fantastic weather. If you want to learn more about the local marine life, head to the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab to get face-to-face with some truly amazing sea creatures!
Interested in wildlife that prefers the dry land? The Audubon Bird Sanctuary is the place you’ll want to be. Dip your toes in the sand at the West End Public Beach or get a stunning view from the Sand Island Lighthouse. Dauphin Island is truly an incredible destination with so many varied activities here, whether you’re visiting with your family, your sweetheart, or all by yourself!
Plan Your Dauphin Island Trip
Have we convinced you to start planning a road trip to see us down here in Dauphin Island? All you have to do is contact our staff, who can help you find the perfect Dauphin Island condo rental for your group and will get you set up for the trip of your dreams!
Dauphin Island Rentals
At the end of your long day of driving and sightseeing, you’re sure to be exhausted. All you’ll want to do at this point is settle down for some well-deserved rest or perhaps a calming evening with the ones you love most. That’s where our Dauphin Island accommodations come in! We’ve got all kinds of rentals to suit your needs, from large family-friendly rentals to quaint cottages perfect for a romantic getaway.
No matter which of our condo, home, or pet-friendly rentals you select, you’ll have an amazing location near some of the best attractions that make Dauphin Island a great destination for a getaway. There’s nowhere better to stay between the convenient location, the amazing amenities, and the unbeatable prices!
