Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
263.4 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
The drive from Athens, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 263.4 miles and takes about 4h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 72 West, I-65 South, I 22 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.78 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.7 miles from Athens, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 16m drive with frequent turns across 263.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 72 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-65 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 22 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montgomery | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 20 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 31 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 31 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Red Mountain Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, AL and Phenix City, AL.
Start on Jefferson Street South
Turn left onto US Highway 72 West
Take the exit right toward I-65 South: Birmingham
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight left toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
Merge slight right
Take the exit slight right toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Keep slight left to continue on US 31 South, US 280 East
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Take the exit straight
Take the exit left toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
Take the exit slight right toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
Keep slight right
Merge slight left onto Columbus Parkway
Continue straight
Turn left onto Opelika Road
At the end of the road, turn left onto Crawford Road
Continue on 14th Street
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
Continue on 13th Street
Turn left onto Broad Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.7 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phenix City, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Athens, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Athens, AL
This is one driving day of about 263.4 miles and 4h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.7 mi from Athens, AL · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 131.7 miles from Athens, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Phenix City, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.78 one way
$71.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $39.92 | $79.85 |
| premium | $4.15 | $43.04 | $86.07 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $38.89 | $77.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79 | 0 | $27.66 | $12.64 |
| Efficient EV | 65.9 | 0 | $23.05 | $10.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.4 | 1 | $36.88 | $16.86 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Athens on Saturday
Local time
5:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Phenix City on Saturday
Local time
6:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
132 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Explore more options from Athens, AL or browse trips ending in Phenix City, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
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