How far is Birmingham, AL from Phenix City, AL?

The driving distance from Birmingham, AL to Phenix City, AL is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127.1 miles (204.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
172.92 mi
02h 41m
Flight
127.12 mi
204.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Birmingham.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
127.12 mi
Kilometers
204.58 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.92 mi
Kilometers
278.29 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Phenix City
Tue, May 12, 10:02 PM EDT
Return by in Birmingham
Tue, May 12, 11:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Birmingham
2026-05-12T18:20
Arrive Phenix City
Tue, May 12, 9:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:42 AM to 1:42 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Birmingham
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Alexander City
AL

City in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, USA

From Birmingham
69.9 mi
01h 20m
To Phenix City
103 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Birmingham and Phenix City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Birmingham and Phenix City.

  1. 1

    Start on 24th Street North

    715 ft · 25 sec · 24th Street North

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North

    61 m · 4 sec · 3rd Avenue North

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left toward US 31 South, US 280 East

    991 ft · 24 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Expressway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo Gardens

    17.7 mi · 25 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit straight

    91.2 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit left toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    80 m · 6 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Columbus Parkway

    21.1 mi · 25 min · Columbus Parkway

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Opelika Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Opelika Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Crawford Road

    2387 ft · 1 min · Crawford Road

  14. 14

    Continue on 14th Street

    2175 ft · 1 min · 14th Street

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto 12th Avenue

    82 m · 8 sec · 12th Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on 13th Street

    2667 ft · 1 min · 13th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    2 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Birmingham and Phenix City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 280 East
109 mi · 63%
Columbus Parkway
22.6 mi · 13%
I-85 North
3.24 mi · 2%
Red Mountain Expressway
2.26 mi · 1%
Opelika Road
0.79 mi
13th Street
0.51 mi
Longest Stretch

US 280 East

Take the exit straight

91.2 mi · 01h 52m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.8 mi
127.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Alexander City
01h 20m from Birmingham
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Birmingham and Mostly Sunny near Phenix City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Birmingham to Phenix City?

The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Alexander City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.9 miles from Birmingham and 103 miles from Phenix City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 127.1 miles (204.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.10 one way or $46.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Birmingham and Phenix City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Birmingham and Mostly Sunny near Phenix City.

Stop Ideas Near Alexander City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Alexander City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alexander City.

BUS

Montgomery, AL

77 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
RAIL

Anniston

79 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

101 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

114 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Birmingham and Phenix City. Straight-line distance: 127.12 mi (204.58 km).

Birmingham

#1 Birmingham

The most populous city in Alabama.

Population206,950
Coordinates33.5206600, -86.8024900
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Phenix City

#2 Phenix City

City in Alabama

Population36,487
Coordinates32.4709800, -85.0007700
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: 24th Street North (-86.802565, 33.520626)
End: 13th Street (-85.000758, 32.470959)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.1 gal
23.1 L · about $23.10
Round trip
$46.20
12.2 gal · 46.2 L
Estimated CO2
54.2 kg one way
Round trip: 108.4 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $23.10 $46.20
Mid-grade $4.26 $25.98 $51.96
Premium $4.63 $28.21 $56.43
Diesel $5.42 $33.03 $66.06

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alabama · May 12, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Birmingham, AL and Phenix City, AL. The current time in Birmingham is 18:20:56, although it is 19:20:56 in Phenix City.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.