How far is Phenix City, AL from Tuscaloosa, AL?
The driving distance from Phenix City, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is about 189.3 miles (304.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.6 miles (253.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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 03h 08m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Phenix City and Tuscaloosa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City and Tuscaloosa.
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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
99.4 mi · 2 hr 3 min
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14
Turn left onto I 459 South
2459 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway
19.2 mi · 21 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
1.2 mi · 3 min
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17
Merge slight left
33.7 mi · 36 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 359 North, I 69 North: Tuscaloosa
2219 ft · 42 sec
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19
Merge slight left
1.8 mi · 2 min
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20
Continue straight
2011 ft · 33 sec
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21
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
2540 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
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22
Turn right onto University Boulevard
87 m · 10 sec · University Boulevard
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23
Turn left
51 m · 12 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Phenix City and Tuscaloosa.
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
99.4 mi · 02h 03m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Phenix City and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Phenix City to Tuscaloosa?
The road trip is about 189.3 miles (304.7 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Mignon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.9 miles from Phenix City and 94.4 miles from Tuscaloosa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.6 miles (253.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 10:42 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.30 one way or $50.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.4 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 Tuscaloosa, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Phenix City and Sunny near Tuscaloosa.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Phenix City and Tuscaloosa. Straight-line distance: 157.59 mi (253.62 km).
#1 Phenix City
City in Alabama
| Population | 36,487 |
| Coordinates | 32.4709800, -85.0007700 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tuscaloosa
The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
| Population | 102,819 |
| Coordinates | 33.2098400, -87.5691700 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-87.569166, 33.209831)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 305 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $25.30 | $50.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $28.45 | $56.90 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $30.90 | $61.79 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $36.17 | $72.34 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.