How far is Phenix City, AL from Athens, AL?
The driving distance from Phenix City, AL to Athens, AL is about 233.8 miles (376.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 197 miles (317 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Phenix City and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City and Athens.
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1
Start on Broad Street
2 m · 2 sec · Broad Street
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2
Turn right onto 13th Street
2834 ft · 1 min · 13th Street
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3
Continue on 14th Street
2265 ft · 1 min · 14th Street
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4
Continue on Crawford Road
2365 ft · 1 min · Crawford Road
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5
Turn right onto Opelika Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Opelika Road
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6
Turn right
1.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue straight
20.9 mi · 25 min
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8
Take the exit left toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
3.1 mi · 3 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
1852 ft · 45 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
87 m · 7 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · Gateway Drive
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12
Continue on Birmingham Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway
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13
Continue straight
103.8 mi · 2 hr 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
1901 ft · 30 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Red Mountain Expressway
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16
Continue on Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · Carraway Boulevard
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17
Turn left onto Finley Boulevard
1 km · 1 min · Finley Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto 19th Street North
15 m · 1 sec · 19th Street North
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19
Take the ramp straight toward I 65 North
771 ft · 19 sec
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20
Merge slight left
88.5 mi · 1 hr 36 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward 72: Athens, Huntsville
1307 ft · 34 sec
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22
Turn left onto US Highway 72 East
2 mi · 3 min · US Highway 72 East
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23
Turn right onto Jefferson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Jefferson Street South
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Phenix City and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Birmingham Highway
Continue straight
104 mi · 02h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Phenix City and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Phenix City to Athens?
The road trip is about 233.8 miles (376.2 km) and usually takes 04h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Westover is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116.9 miles from Phenix City and 116.8 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 197 miles (317 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.24 one way or $62.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.3 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Phenix City and Athens, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Phenix City and Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Westover
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Westover.
Birmingham
Anniston
Brent, AL
Tuscaloosa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Phenix City and Athens. Straight-line distance: 196.99 mi (317.03 km).
#1 Phenix City
City in Alabama
| Population | 36,487 |
| Coordinates | 32.4709800, -85.0007700 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
County seat of Limestone County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 28,643 |
| Coordinates | 34.8024300, -86.9721900 |
| Altitude | 220 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-86.97219, 34.80243)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 376 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $31.24 | $62.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $35.14 | $70.27 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $38.16 | $76.31 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $44.67 | $89.35 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.