Trip from Jacksonville, AL to Phenix City, AL

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 58m

Distance

128.7 mi

207 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

2h 47m ★

6 AM

2h 58m

8 AM

3h 21m

10 AM

3h 6m

12 PM

3h 4m

3 PM

3h 7m

5 PM

3h 19m

8 PM

2h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Jacksonville, AL

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Russell County, Alabama, United States

Phenix City, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Jacksonville, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 128.7 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 431, Columbus Parkway, Public Square West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87.5 miles on US 431. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.44 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

64.3 miles from Jacksonville, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 431	87.5 mi	2h
Columbus Parkway	21.3 mi	25m
Public Square West	3.9 mi	5m
Veterans Memorial Parkway	3.9 mi	4m
McClellan Boulevard	3.3 mi	4m
Golden Springs Road	1.5 mi	2m
US 280	1.5 mi	2m
Ossington Avenue	1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 431 — 87.5 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, AL and Phenix City, AL.

Start on AL 21

3.9 mi · 5 min · Public Square West

Continue on AL 21

3.3 mi · 4 min · McClellan Boulevard

Turn left onto Baltzell Gate Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Baltzell Gate Road

Turn right onto Ossington Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · Ossington Avenue

Continue on General Gerald Watson Way

0.7 mi · 1 min · General Gerald Watson Way

Turn left onto US 431

3.9 mi · 4 min · Veterans Memorial Parkway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 431

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Henry Road

Continue on US 431

1.5 mi · 2 min · Golden Springs Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 431

0.8 mi · 1 min · Leon Smith Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 431

3.5 mi · 4 min · US 431

Toward I 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta Use the left lane.

Take the exit onto US 431

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 431

Toward US 431 South Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 431

27 mi · 36 min · US 431

Toward US 431 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 431

57 mi · 1 hr 20 min · US 431

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 431

21 mi · 25 min · Columbus Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 280; US 431

1.5 mi · 2 min · US 280; US 431

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Opelika Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Opelika Road

At end of road, turn left onto Crawford Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Crawford Road

Continue on 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street

Turn straight onto 12th Avenue

269 ft · 7 sec · 12th Avenue

Continue on 13th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · 13th Street

Turn left onto Broad Street

8 ft · 0 sec · Broad Street

Arrive at destination

Broad Street

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 64.3 miles from Jacksonville, AL, or about 1h 30m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.5 miles.

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 28 miles or 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.3 miles or 1h 30m 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 27m

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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, AL

This is one driving day of about 128.7 miles and 2h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Jacksonville, 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.

The longest stretch is on US 431 for about 87.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Randolph County, Alabama, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Roanoke, AL

64 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

Heflin, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roanoke, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.3 miles from Jacksonville, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 431 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbus, Georgia

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 128.7

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16573511249

Visit website

Harvest Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Georgia

1.5 mi

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anniston, Alabama

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Side Track

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Opelika, Alabama

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 101.1

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Opelika, Alabama

2.1 mi

Boonie Hat Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Opelika, Alabama

2.1 mi

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 128.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16573511249

Visit website

Harvest Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 128.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17062218792

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 9.2

Anniston, Alabama

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+12568470030

Visit website

Burger King

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.2

Anniston, Alabama

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+12562374161

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 64.3

Roanoke, Alabama

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13348632326

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 101.1

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 128.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

City Park (Monkey Park)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 101.1

Opelika, Alabama

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13347055549

Visit website

National Civil War Naval Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 128.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+17063279798

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 103.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | Baltzell Gate Road

Turn left onto Baltzell Gate Road

Navigation decision point

16.1 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 431

Take the exit onto US 431 toward I 20 East, US 431 South: 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 20 East, US 431 South: Atlanta

19.6 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 431

Take the exit onto US 431 toward US 431 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 431 South

19.8 mi into trip | ~28m in | US 431

Keep slight right at fork onto US 431 toward US 431 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 431 South

103.6 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | US 431 / Columbus Parkway

Turn left onto US 431 / Columbus Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.44 one way

$38.87 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$21.34	$42.67
premium	$4.56	$23.10	$46.20
diesel	$5.61	$28.42	$56.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38.6	$13.51	$6.18
Efficient EV	32.2	$11.26	$5.15
EV Truck/SUV	51.5	$18.02	$8.24

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Jacksonville, AL

Afternoon in Jacksonville on Saturday

Local time

12:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Phenix City, AL

Afternoon in Phenix City on Saturday

Local time

1:26 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Roanoke, AL

64 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

15 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

2h 58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Freedom Riders National Monument

National Monument

In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 13.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

128.7 mi in 2h 58m, mostly highway — 87.5 mi of that is on US 431.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 87.5 mi on US 431.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 431 and Columbus Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.2 miles in near Baltzell Gate Road.

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 128.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 7.2 miles (Baltzell Gate Road): Navigation decision point; at 16.1 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.6 miles (US 431): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 128.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 87.5 miles on US 431. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Phenix City, AL before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Phenix City, AL to Jacksonville, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

129.2 mi 2h 56m

Explore more options from Jacksonville, AL or browse trips ending in Phenix City, AL.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.

Trip from Jacksonville, AL to Phenix City, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

Side Track

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

Harvest Coffee Co.

Sonic Drive-In

Burger King

Side Track

The Coffee Shop

Boonie Hat Coffee Company

Toomers Coffee Roasters | We're the Coffee, not the Corner | Family Owned since 2004

Milltown Coffee

The Hippie Bean Coffee Co.

Ristretto

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

City Park (Monkey Park)

National Civil War Naval Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Jacksonville, AL

Phenix City, AL

1 hour later

15 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 58m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Freedom Riders National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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