George Wallace Tunnel

5 stars for its uniqueness and awesomeness.
1 star for its ability to make your twenty minute drive in to a 2 hour drive

The tunnel is a really cool spot on the long trip to Mississippi… It’s not a very long tunnel, but it’s pretty neat. Forget cell or radio signal here… It vanishes entirely while inside the tunnel. This seemingly mundane location is very cool considering you’re driving under water when you go through the tunnel.
This is definitely something to look forward to on the long trip to Mississippi.

I’m not a fan of driving over water but for some reason I love going through this tunnel. My first trip through was a long time ago on a church trip to Jacksonville and I’ll admit I was frightened the first trip through. After our fun time in Florida I was looking forward to going through the tunnel.
I’ve grown up since then and still not a fan of extended bridges over water but still a big fan of the George Wallace Tunnel. I like it because it’s unusual, where I live tunnels are common and there certainly isn’t one that goes underwater. I am becoming a big fan of the western coast of Florida so I expect many more trips in the future through the George Washington Tunnel and next time, I’ll honk the horn.

What local kid visiting the big city of Mobile hasn’t begged their mother to make George Wallace tunnel a destination or drive out of their way just to take this route? I cannot wait until my Indiana-​born daughter is a little older to bring her here and tell her that she has to hold her breath while going under this bridge.

Located 40 feet below the surface of the Mobile River one has to wonder why they chose to go under instead of over the ship channel, this by no means is a stretch of water that exceeded the capabilities of bridge building in 1973 I also find it a bit odd that this is not the first tunnel to breach this river, the George Wallace Tunnel runs parallel to the older but still in use John H. Bankhead Tunnel circa 1942. Although the Bankhead Tunnel is a few hundred feet longer its a simpler two lane tunnel with only 12 feet of clearance verses the dual two lane tunnels with 16 feet of clearance known as the George Corley Wallace Tunnel.
Although tunnels don’t intrigue me as much as bridges do they do have a purpose and do represent a engineering marvel using a self supporting circular design based on the functionality of a straw so I have alway found them kinda boring since the view never changes. Add a few water tight windows or make them out of glass and you might get my attention until then I feel tunnels should bore through mountains and bridges should span the waterways.

This tunnel is located on I-​10 in Alabama. It basically connects the Eastern Shore to the West shore with Mobile Bay surrounding it. Be aware during rush hour traffic, drivers seem to jam on the brakes.
It is lighted at night and has no water leaks! Most people blow their horns to hear the echoes…

I don’t know any additional trivia or historical facts to add to the reviews that already describe the George Wallace Tunnel, I only know that when I am driving on Interstate 10 heading towards the beach I love it when we get to the tunnel. After driving along the flat terrain of Southern Mississippi and Alabama this tunnel is about the most exciting thing along this stretch of the interstate.
Sure, we honk occasionally, but that isn’t the only silly thing you can do in the tunnel. It is fun to try and hold your breath as you travel «under the water’ (unless your driving, then you should breath normally). The last few trips, and this one only works if you are listening to the radio, we have made a fun game of trying to continue the lyrics of the song as it fades from the radio. There is plenty of back seat fun to be had when you go through this tunnel.

Wow… I have been riding through this tunnel back and forth from Florida to Mississippi since I was a little girl. Heck, so young that I can’t even remember my earliest trips through this tunnel. Let me tell you, It’s been more trips through it than I can even possibly begin to count!
I still find it as much fun today as I did when I was a child. Yes, I’m one of the annoying ones who always honks the horn. I remember my daddy always honking the horn for me going through it when I was little… and of course I always honked it for my children when they were growing up. You’re not suppose to. it annoys people. whatever… it’s fun! :D
Another fun thing to do is make sure the radio is on going through it because it always loses signal halfway through. I remember my girls always staring at the radio just waiting for the signal to drop. It’s the little things in life that amuse us, huh?! LOL
The tunnel isn’t very long. When you’re smack dab in the middle of it you can still see from one end to the other.
Love the lights inside, especially at night. They are cool during the day too because since you are under water, it would be dark in there during the daytime without the lights. Not pitch black, but still dark.
Yes, you are actually under water in this tunnel. How completely cool is that?!
I love you, George Wallace Tunnel. You always make the long trip just a little bit better! =)

This is not necessarily, something you come to visit, but I assure you if you are driving through town, you really can’t skip it. It’s a marvel of engineering. It’s not too long as if you in the middle you can see both the entrance and exit at the same time. Be careful during busy traffic as you might be stuck in here for quite awhile. It provides really cool echos if you happen to be opening your windows and screaming. Something I witnessed, not participated in. =)

I have always been fascinated by tunnels. Call me a weirdo, but I distinctly remember my mother explaining that tunnels actually travel under the water. That blew my five year old mind. We even had a song we would sing when we drove through the tunnel that helped my scared siblings forget we were technically underwater (no I won’t sing it now).
This tunnel is far cooler than any of the tunnels I’ve been in before in Louisiana. First off, it’s massive. I’m not sure if interstate tunnels have to be built to different standards, but this tunnel seems more sturdy than the Harvey Canal tunnel. Secondly the tunnel travels far more distance than most tunnels I’m used too. Sure, it’s not the Chunnel, but you’ve got way more underwater time in this thing than back home. Another cool feature is the warning lights before the tunnel that tell you if you’re traveling too fast. Don’t worry, those things don’t accurately predict impending doom.
One negative thing about this tunnel is that you are likely to lose radio, satellite and cell reception while you’re in it. I counter this boredom by rolling down my windows and honking. Other motorists hate that, but I love the echo. See, I told you I was a weirdo.

The George Wallace Tunnel takes Interstate 10 in the city of Mobile, Alabama under the Mobile River and emerge on Blakeley Island where it meets up with the Jubilee Parkway which cross over Mobile Bay.
It’s well lit and super fun to drive through. I usually lose my radio signal going through it and have occasionally had a cell call drop.
For some reason when there’s a change in road scenery, be it high bridges or tunnels, some people don’t seem to know what to do and slam on their brakes. Try to maintain your speed as this causes accidents and there’s not much off shoulder to pull over if there is an accident. That causes major traffic jams and headaches.
Happy traveling!