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

The driving distance from Phenix City, AL to Chelsea, AL is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112 miles (180.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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
122.8 mi
02h 33m
Flight
111.98 mi
180.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Phenix City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.98 mi
Kilometers
180.22 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.8 mi
Kilometers
197.62 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 10:32 PM CDT
Return by in Phenix City
Wed, Apr 15, 2:06 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Phenix City
2026-04-14T20:58
Arrive Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 11:32 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM CDT

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

Leave by
1:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Phenix City
9:30 PM EDT
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
Jacksons' Gap
AL

Town

From Phenix City
61.4 mi
01h 16m
To Chelsea
61.4 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S
Destination
85°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 5:00 PM CDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Broad Street

    2 m · 2 sec · Broad Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 13th Street

    2834 ft · 1 min · 13th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 14th Street

    2265 ft · 1 min · 14th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Crawford Road

    2365 ft · 1 min · Crawford Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Opelika Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Opelika Road

  6. 6

    Turn right

    1.8 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    20.9 mi · 25 min

  8. 8

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

    3.1 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham

    1852 ft · 45 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham

    87 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Gateway Drive

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Gateway Drive

  12. 12

    Continue on Birmingham Highway

    3 mi · 4 min · Birmingham Highway

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    89.3 mi · 1 hr 49 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Chelsea Road

    1 km · 1 min · Chelsea Road

  15. 15

    Turn left

    100 m · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Allen Drive

    52 m · 8 sec · Allen Drive

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Chelsea Road

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Birmingham Highway
92.2 mi · 75%
Opelika Road
21.7 mi · 18%
I-85 South
3.05 mi · 2%
Gateway Drive
1.46 mi · 1%
Chelsea Road
0.65 mi · 1%
13th Street
0.54 mi
Longest Stretch

Birmingham Highway

Continue straight

89.3 mi · 01h 49m

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 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.8 mi
112 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jacksons' Gap
01h 16m from Phenix City
Leave By
1:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Phenix City and Sunny near Chelsea.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?

Jacksons' Gap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.4 miles from Phenix City and 61.4 miles from Chelsea.

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

The direct path is about 112 miles (180.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.40 one way or $32.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 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 Chelsea, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Jacksons' Gap

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Jacksons' Gap, 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 Jacksons' Gap.

BUS

Montgomery, AL

79 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
RAIL

Anniston

85 mi away
126 West 4th St
RAIL

Birmingham

116 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Phenix City and Chelsea. Straight-line distance: 111.98 mi (180.22 km).

Phenix City

#1 Phenix City

City in Alabama

Population36,487
Coordinates32.4709800, -85.0007700
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Chelsea

Chelsea is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.3401100, -86.6302600
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Start: Phenix City (-85.00077, 32.47098)
End: Chelsea (-86.63026, 33.34011)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 198 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.33 gal
16.4 L · about $16.40
Round trip
$32.80
8.66 gal · 32.8 L
Estimated CO2
38.5 kg one way
Round trip: 77 kg / 170 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $16.40 $32.80
Mid-grade $4.26 $18.44 $36.88
Premium $4.63 $20.03 $40.05
Diesel $5.42 $23.45 $46.89

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 · Apr 15, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Phenix City, AL and Chelsea, AL. The current time in Phenix City is 20:58:58, although it is 19:58:58 in Chelsea.

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.