Trip from Phenix City, AL to Fairfield, AL

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 8m

Distance

147.6 mi

238 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

27 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

2h 57m ★

6 AM

3h 9m

8 AM

3h 32m

10 AM

3h 17m

12 PM

3h 15m

3 PM

3h 18m

5 PM

3h 31m

8 PM

3h 2m

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

Phenix City, AL

Wikimedia Commons

Fairfield, AL

Taryn Elliott

Trip Overview

The drive from Phenix City, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 147.6 miles and takes about 3h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 280, I 20, Birmingham Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.5 miles on US 280. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.29 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

73.8 miles from Phenix City, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 3h 8m highway drive covering 147.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 280 and I 20. The longest continuous stretch is about 128.5 miles on US 280.

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 128.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in near US 280.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 147.6 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 24.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.3 miles (US 280): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

24.9 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 280

Take the exit onto US 280 toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery

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 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Au...

28.3 mi into trip | ~36m in | US 280

Keep slight right at fork onto US 280 toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham

139.4 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

Take the exit toward I 20, I 59

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 20, I 59

139.8 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa

146.2 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward Avenue I

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 119B Toward Avenue I

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Phenix City, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery and Birmingham.

Montgomery

24.9 mi in | ~32m | via US 280

Birmingham

28 mi in | ~35m | via US 280

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 280	128.5 mi	2h 39m
I 20	5.8 mi	6m
Birmingham Highway	3 mi	3m
Red Mountain Expressway	2.4 mi	3m
US 80	1.8 mi	2m
Gateway Drive	1.5 mi	2m
Opelika Road	0.8 mi	1m
13th Street	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 280 — 128.5 mi, about 2h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Broad Street

8 ft · 1 sec · Broad Street

Turn right onto 13th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · 13th Street

Continue on 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 14th Street

Continue on Crawford Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Crawford Road

Turn right onto Opelika Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Opelika Road

Turn right onto US 80; US 280; US 431

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 80; US 280; US 431

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 280; US 431

21 mi · 24 min · US 280; US 431

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 280

3.1 mi · 3 min · US 280

Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery Use the left lane.

Take the exit onto US 280

0.4 mi · 44 sec · US 280

Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham

Keep slight right at fork onto US 280

285 ft · 6 sec · US 280

Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 280

1.5 mi · 2 min · Gateway Drive

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 280

3.0 mi · 3 min · Birmingham Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 280

104 mi · 2 hr 9 min · US 280

Use the right lane.

Take the exit onto US 280

0.4 mi · 29 sec · US 280

Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham

Merge onto US 31; US 280

2.4 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 20, I 59 Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 20; I 59

5.8 mi · 6 min · I 20; I 59

Use the slight left / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Exit 119B Toward Avenue I Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight

167 ft · 6 sec

Turn left onto Avenue I

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Avenue I

Continue on Valley Road

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Valley Road

Turn left onto Parkway

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Parkway

Turn slight left onto Hillside Drive

279 ft · 13 sec · Hillside Drive

Turn right onto Farrell Avenue

366 ft · 18 sec · Farrell Avenue

Turn right onto 52nd Street

165 ft · 7 sec · 52nd Street

Arrive at destination

52nd Street

Trip Plan

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 73.8 miles from Phenix City, AL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.5 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.8 miles or 1h 34m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Phenix City, 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 Phenix City, AL

This is one driving day of about 147.6 miles and 3h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Phenix City, 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 128.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.8 mi from Phenix City, AL · 1h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbiana, AL

74 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

Columbiana, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbiana, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.8 miles from Phenix City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.5 miles.

Arriving in Fairfield, AL

The final approach into Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

National Monument

In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 142.5

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.29 one way

$44.58 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.21	$24.47	$48.94
premium	$4.56	$26.49	$52.98
diesel	$5.61	$32.59	$65.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

27 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Columbus, GA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Winn-Dixie - Tesla Supercharger

Alexander City, AL

Tesla

12 DCFC

Starbucks - Tesla Supercharger

Columbus, GA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Auburn Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Auburn, AL

Tesla

6 DCFC

CircleK - Columbus North, GA

Columbus, GA

CIRCLE_K

4 DCFC

LOT CHARGERS PWRLINK2000-1

Columbus, GA

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

SONS Chevrolet

COLUMBUS, GA

EV Connect

2 DCFC

LOVE'S 774 - AL #774 DC1

Smiths Station, AL

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 20 Tesla: 4 EV Connect: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.3	$15.50	$7.08
Efficient EV	36.9	$12.92	$5.90
EV Truck/SUV	59	$20.66	$9.45

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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 data refreshed 1 hour from now

Origin

Phenix City, AL

Night in Phenix City on Tuesday

Local time

10:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fairfield, AL

Night in Fairfield on Tuesday

Local time

9:12 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

79°F

Columbiana, AL

74 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 earlier

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

3h 8m 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 Phenix City, AL to Fairfield, AL covers 147.6 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 280, I 20, Birmingham Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73.8 miles from Phenix City, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.29 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.

Between Phenix City, AL and Fairfield, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery and Birmingham.

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