Origin
Cahaba Heights, AL
Afternoon in Cahaba Heights on Thursday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
134.6 mi
217 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cahaba Heights, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Cahaba Heights, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 134.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Crosshaven Drive, Summit Boulevard, I-85 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.33 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
67.3 miles from Cahaba Heights, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 134.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 2h 30m drive with frequent turns across 134.6 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
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cahaba Heights, AL to Phenix City, AL is easy. At 2h 30m 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 Cahaba Heights, AL to Phenix City, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crosshaven Drive | — | — |
| Summit Boulevard | — | — |
| I-85 North | — | — |
| US 280 | — | — |
| Columbus Parkway | — | — |
| Opelika Road | — | — |
| Crawford Road | — | — |
| 14th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Cahaba Heights, AL and Phenix City, AL.
Start on the route
At the end of the road, turn right onto Crosshaven Drive
Continue on Summit Boulevard
Turn left
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 30 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.3 miles or 1h 15m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phenix City, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cahaba Heights, 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 Cahaba Heights, AL
This is one driving day of about 134.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.3 mi from Cahaba Heights, AL · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 67.3 miles from Cahaba Heights, 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
$20.33 one way
$40.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $22.31 | $44.63 |
| premium | $4.56 | $24.16 | $48.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.72 | $59.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.13 | $6.46 |
| Efficient EV | 33.7 | 0 | $11.78 | $5.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.84 | $8.61 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cahaba Heights on Thursday
Local time
1:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Phenix City on Thursday
Local time
2:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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