Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
172.9 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Photo: FranDany
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 172.9 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 3rd Avenue North, US 31 South, Red Mountain Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.43 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.5 miles from Birmingham, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 41m drive with frequent turns across 172.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Birmingham, AL to Phenix City, AL is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Birmingham, AL to Phenix City, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 31 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Red Mountain Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 280 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-85 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 280 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Columbus Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Opelika Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham, AL and Phenix City, AL.
Start on 24th Street North
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
Take the ramp slight left toward 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
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phenix City, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL
This is one driving day of about 172.9 miles and 2h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.5 mi from Birmingham, AL · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 86.5 miles from Birmingham, 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
$26.43 one way
$52.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $28.99 | $57.98 |
| premium | $4.61 | $31.38 | $62.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.41 | $76.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.15 | $8.30 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.21 | $11.07 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Birmingham on Sunday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
6:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
85°F
Dadeville, AL
86 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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