Exciton recombination dynamics in tailored-potential, site-controlled AlGaAs quantum wires (QWRs) are studied. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectra evidence exciton localization in weakly disordered "uniform" QWRs, whereas deterministic bandgap grading is shown to suppress localization and promote exciton drift along the potential gradient. Measured exciton transit times between two quantum dot probes placed at opposite ends of the potential gradient yield the effective 1D exciton mobility as >1300 cm(2)/(eVs). (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.