The Mobile tunnel, Mobile Travel Guide

4.9 (63)

Travel under the Mobile River through this historic Art Deco tunnel, connecting downtown Mobile to Blakeley Island since 1941.

Home
Travel Guides
Alabama
Mobile
The Mobile tunnel

The Bankhead Tunnel, also known as the Mobile Tunnel, is a submerged road tunnel that carries Government Street under the Mobile River, connecting downtown Mobile with Blakeley Island. Opened in 1941, this Art Deco-style tunnel is a testament to early 20th-century engineering and a vital transportation link.

A brief summary to The Mobile tunnel

I-10, Mobile, North Industrial Area, Alabama, 36603, US

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The Mobile tunnel.

Only passenger vehicles and small trucks are allowed through the tunnel.
Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid traffic congestion, especially during rush hour (7:00-8:00 AM and 4:30-6:00 PM).
Take a moment to appreciate the Art Deco design of the tunnel entrances.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park

Mobile Carnival Museum

History Museum of Mobile

Exploreum Science Center & Poarch Band of Creek Indians Digital Dome Theater

Bragg-Mitchell Mansion

Explore The Mobile tunnel on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The Mobile tunnel, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

If you are coming from downtown Mobile, follow Government Street east. The tunnel entrance will be on your right. If you're approaching from the east, follow US-90/Government Street west. The tunnel entrance will appear after crossing Blakeley Island. Be aware of lane restrictions; only passenger vehicles and small trucks are permitted. There are no tolls. Parking near the tunnel is limited. Downtown Mobile offers metered street parking at $1 per hour, with a two-hour limit in some areas. Several parking decks and private lots are also available, with hourly rates starting at $2 and daily rates around $10-$20.
Public Transport

Mobile's public transport system, The Wave, has several bus routes that serve the areas near the tunnel entrances. From downtown, several routes connect to Government Street. Check the Wave Transit System for schedules and route information. A single ride fare is $1.25 [N/A].

Discover more about The Mobile tunnel

The Bankhead Tunnel, officially named the John H. Bankhead Tunnel, is more than just a way to cross the Mobile River; it's a piece of history. Constructed between 1938 and 1940 as a New Deal project during the Great Depression, the tunnel provided much-needed jobs for the local community. The tunnel is named after John H. Bankhead, a former U.S. Senator from Alabama and grandfather of actress Tallulah Bankhead.The tunnel was built in sections at the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO), then floated to their designated positions, sunk, and joined underwater. This pioneering engineering feat, completed at a cost of $4 million (over $65 million today), shortened the commute between Mobile and the Eastern Shore by 7.5 miles. The tunnel opened to the public on February 20, 1941.The entrances are designed in the Art Deco style, popular during its construction. The tunnel is 3,389 feet (1,033 m) long, with a clearance of 40 feet (12.2 m) for the ship channel above. A toll was charged on the eastern side until the mid-1970s. Today, only passenger cars and pickup trucks are permitted due to its narrow lanes.The Bankhead Tunnel has also made its mark in popular culture, appearing in Steven Spielberg's 1977 blockbuster "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". The tunnel remains a vital transportation link, with approximately 14,000 vehicles passing through it daily.