Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
249.7 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
The drive from Phenix City, AL to Russellville, AL covers 249.7 miles and takes about 5h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 13th Street, 14th Street, Crawford Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.9 miles from Phenix City, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 6m drive with frequent turns across 249.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 13th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 14th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Crawford Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Opelika Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-85 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 280 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gateway Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Birmingham Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City, AL and Russellville, AL.
Start on Broad Street
Turn right onto 13th Street
Continue on 14th Street
Continue on Crawford Road
Turn right onto Opelika Road
Turn right
Continue straight
Take the exit left toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive
Continue on Birmingham Highway
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
Turn right onto 19th Street North
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
Turn left onto Section Line Road
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
Turn left
Take the exit slight right
At the end of the road, turn left onto Jackson Avenue South
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russellville, AL than in the middle of the route.
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 249.7 miles and 5h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.9 mi from Phenix City, AL · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.9 miles from Phenix City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Russellville, 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 Russellville, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.92 one way
$67.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $37.85 | $75.70 |
| premium | $4.15 | $40.80 | $81.59 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $36.87 | $73.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.22 | $11.99 |
| Efficient EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.96 | $15.98 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Phenix City on Saturday
Local time
7:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Russellville on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
125 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
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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