Origin
Fultondale, AL
Late night in Fultondale on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
177.4 mi
285 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fultondale, AL
Tomás Asurmendi
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 177.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Decatur Highway, Carraway Boulevard, Red Mountain Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.79 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
88.7 miles from Fultondale, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 46m drive with frequent turns across 177.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Decatur Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL is easy. At 2h 46m 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 Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Carraway Boulevard | 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.
Longest stretch:
Decatur Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fultondale, AL and Phenix City, AL.
1
Start on Whaley Road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Whaley Road
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Decatur Highway
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Decatur Highway
3
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Carraway Boulevard
4
Continue on Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
18 mi
·
24 min
·
US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
6
Take the exit straight
91 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
7
Take the exit left toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
9
Keep slight right
262 ft
·
6 sec
10
Merge slight left onto Columbus Parkway
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Columbus Parkway
11
Continue straight
1.5 mi
·
2 min
12
Turn left onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Opelika Road
13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Crawford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Crawford Road
14
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
15
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
269 ft
·
8 sec
·
12th Avenue
16
Continue on 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
17
Turn left onto Broad Street
7 ft
·
Broad Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.7 miles from Fultondale, AL, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
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 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.7 miles or 1h 23m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phenix City, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fultondale, 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 Fultondale, AL
This is one driving day of about 177.4 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fultondale, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.7 mi from Fultondale, AL · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.7 miles from Fultondale, 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.79 one way
$53.58 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
| premium | $4.56 | $31.84 | $63.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.17 | $78.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.63 | $8.52 |
| Efficient EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.52 | $7.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71 | 0 | $24.84 | $11.35 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Phenix City, AL
Late night in Phenix City on Wednesday
Local time
4:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
89 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 46m 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 Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 177.4 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Decatur Highway, Carraway Boulevard, Red Mountain Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.7 miles from Fultondale, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.79 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL is easy. At 2h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fultondale, AL to Phenix City, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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