Origin
Phenix City, AL
Evening in Phenix City on Thursday
Local time
6:29 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phenix City, AL to Tuscumbia, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
252.3 mi
406 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 57m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Tuscumbia, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Phenix City, AL to Tuscumbia, AL covers 252.3 miles and takes about 5h 10m 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 $38.10 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
126.2 miles from Phenix City, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 252.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 10m drive with frequent turns across 252.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
13th Street 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Phenix City, AL to Tuscumbia, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 13th Street | — | — |
| 14th Street | — | — |
| Crawford Road | — | — |
| Opelika Road | — | — |
| I-85 South | — | — |
| US 280 West | — | — |
| Gateway Drive | — | — |
| Birmingham Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
13th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City, AL and Tuscumbia, AL.
1
Start on Broad Street
7 ft
·
2 sec
·
Broad Street
2
Turn right onto 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
3
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
4
Continue on Crawford Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Crawford Road
5
Turn right onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Opelika Road
6
Turn right
1.8 mi
·
2 min
7
Continue straight
21 mi
·
24 min
8
Take the exit left toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
285 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
11
Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Gateway Drive
12
Continue on Birmingham Highway
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Birmingham Highway
13
Continue straight
104 mi
·
2 hr 9 min
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
15
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Expressway
16
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Carraway Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Finley Boulevard
18
Turn right onto 19th Street North
49 ft
·
1 sec
·
19th Street North
19
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 65 North
20
Merge slight left
48 mi
·
51 min
21
Take the exit slight right toward AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
AL 157: Cullman, Moulton
22
Turn left onto Section Line Road
200 ft
·
4 sec
·
Section Line Road
23
Continue on University of North Alabama Highway
55 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
University of North Alabama Highway
24
Merge slight right onto Wheeler Highway
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Wheeler Highway
25
Take the exit right
164 ft
·
4 sec
26
Turn slight right onto South Woodmont Drive
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Woodmont Drive
27
Continue on South Dickson Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Dickson Street
28
Turn left onto East 6th Street
108 ft
·
4 sec
·
East 6th Street
29
Arrive at your destination
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 126.2 miles from Phenix City, AL, or about 2h 35m 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 56 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.2 miles or 2h 35m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscumbia, 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 252.3 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.2 mi from Phenix City, AL · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.2 miles from Phenix City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tuscumbia, AL
The final approach into Tuscumbia, 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 Tuscumbia, 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
$38.10 one way
$76.21 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $41.83 | $83.66 |
| premium | $4.56 | $45.28 | $90.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.70 | $111.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.49 | $12.11 |
| Efficient EV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.08 | $10.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.9 | 1 | $35.32 | $16.15 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tuscumbia, AL
Evening in Tuscumbia on Thursday
Local time
5:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Tuscumbia, AL covers 252.3 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 13th Street, 14th Street, Crawford Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.2 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 $38.10 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Phenix City, AL to Tuscumbia, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Phenix City, AL to Tuscumbia, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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