Origin
Alexander City, AL
Morning in Alexander City on Thursday
Local time
10:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexander City, AL to Phenix City, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
70.7 mi
114 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexander City, AL
Eva Hamitaj
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Alexander City to Phenix City, you can expect a straightforward 70.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 29 minutes to complete. This route is designed as a single-day trip, making it an efficient way to travel across the Southeast region of Alabama. Budgeting approximately $11 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Because the trip is relatively short and direct, you will not need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two locations, allowing you to get where you need to go without unnecessary complications.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 70.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 94% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time on US 280, which features a significant 45-mile uninterrupted stretch that allows for steady cruising. As you move toward your destination, the path transitions through Columbus Parkway and Cherokee Road. The drive maintains a consistent pace, lacking the technical demands of winding backroads or heavy congestion. You will find that the road's personality is defined by its efficiency and focus on forward momentum rather than scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 280 is the longest continuous segment at about 45 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
771 ft
241 ft
Total Climb
276 ft
Total Descent
737 ft
Highest Point
771 ft
~40.4 mi in
Elevation Range
530 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and Columbus Parkway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Tallapoosa Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 42.4 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Tallapoosa Street
Enter roundabout onto Tallapoosa Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
9
42.4 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: At...
5
45.6 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
5
45.8 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 280
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 45 mi | 55m |
| Columbus Parkway | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| Cherokee Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Opelika Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Crawford Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 14th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Madison Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 45 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexander City, AL and Phenix City, AL.
1
Start on Court Square
291 ft
·
14 sec
·
Court Square
2
Turn right onto Main Street
244 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Tallapoosa Street
450 ft
·
8 sec
·
Tallapoosa Street
4
Continue on Tallapoosa Street
151 ft
·
4 sec
·
Tallapoosa Street
5
Turn right onto AL 22
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Madison Street
6
Continue on AL 22; AL 63
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cherokee Road
7
Continue on AL 22; AL 63
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cherokee Road
8
Turn left onto US 280
40 mi
·
48 min
·
US 280
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 280
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 280
Toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 280
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
263 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 280
12
Merge onto US 280; US 431
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Columbus Parkway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 280; US 431
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 280; US 431
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Opelika Road
15
At end of road, turn left onto Crawford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Crawford Road
16
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
17
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
269 ft
·
7 sec
·
12th Avenue
18
Continue on 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
19
Turn left onto Broad Street
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
Broad Street
20
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.3 mi from Alexander City, AL · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Alexander City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phenix City, AL
The final approach into Phenix City, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.68 one way
$21.35 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $11.72 | $23.44 |
| premium | $4.56 | $12.69 | $25.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.61 | $31.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.3 | 0 | $9.90 | $4.52 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Phenix City, AL
Morning in Phenix City on Thursday
Local time
11:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Auburn, AL
35 mi in
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 29m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alexander City, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 70.7 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 280, Columbus Parkway, Cherokee Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.3 miles from Alexander City, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Tallapoosa Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 42.4 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Alexander City, AL to Phenix City, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 241 ft to 771 ft elevation with about 276 ft of total climbing.
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