Origin
Kimberly, AL
Evening in Kimberly on Sunday
Local time
6:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kimberly, AL to Phenix City, AL
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
160.3 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kimberly, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Phenix City, AL
FranDany
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kimberly to Phenix City covers 160.3 miles across the Southeast, making for a straightforward drive that typically lasts 3 hours and 23 minutes. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-65 and US 280, keeping your fuel budget around $25 for the trip. This highway-focused route is ideal if you are looking for a direct connection between these two Alabama locations. It serves as a practical transit option, allowing you to move efficiently between the northern and eastern parts of the state.
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
80.2 miles from Kimberly, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a consistent highway-focused experience, as 97% of this drive takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 280, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 113.8 miles. The transition from the I-65 corridor onto US 280 dictates the pace, shifting from heavy interstate traffic to a more sustained highway rhythm. While the route is highly efficient for reaching your destination, the reliance on high-speed roads means you should prepare for a steady, focused drive. By the time you reach Columbus Parkway, you will have completed the bulk of your navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 280 is the longest continuous segment at about 113.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and Columbus Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 160.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
13.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
14 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
8
19.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
20.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
9
132 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: 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-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: At...
Towns Along This Route
Between Kimberly, AL and Phenix City, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
Fultondale
13.4 mi in
|
~16m
Montgomery
14.5 mi in
|
~17m
Gadsden
18.7 mi in
|
~23m
Downtown
19.9 mi in
|
~25m
Zoo Gardens
23.1 mi in
|
~30m
|
via US 280
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 113.8 mi | 2h 23m |
| Columbus Parkway | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| I 65 | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| US 31 | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Red Mountain Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| I 20 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Opelika Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 113.8 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, AL and Phenix City, AL.
1
Start on US 31
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 31
2
Turn right onto Mary Buckelew Parkway
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Mary Buckelew Parkway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 65
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 261B
Toward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
10
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 20; I 59
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi
·
24 min
·
US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 280
91 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
US 280
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit onto US 280
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 280
Toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 280
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
263 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 280
19
Merge onto US 280; US 431
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Columbus Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 280; US 431
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 280; US 431
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Opelika Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto Crawford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Crawford Road
23
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
24
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
269 ft
·
7 sec
·
12th Avenue
25
Continue on 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
26
Turn left onto Broad Street
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
Broad Street
27
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is just under 3.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You should budget for at least one stop during the drive to break up the long 113.8-mile stretch on US 280. Keep an eye on your fuel levels early on, as the $25 estimate assumes consistent highway speeds. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your transit to bypass busier intersections near the larger hubs along the way. Because this is a compact, single-day route, packing snacks and water for the car is more practical than planning multiple lengthy roadside breaks.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.2 miles from Kimberly, AL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m
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 Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, AL
This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kimberly, 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 280 for about 113.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Kimberly, AL · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80.2 miles from Kimberly, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.8 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.51 one way
$49.01 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| premium | $4.61 | $29.09 | $58.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.61 | $71.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Evening in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
7:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
80 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
1 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
3h 23m 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 Kimberly, AL to Phenix City, AL covers 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 280, Columbus Parkway, I 65. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.2 miles from Kimberly, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 160.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kimberly, AL and Phenix City, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
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