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

The driving distance from Rainbow City, AL to Phenix City, AL is about 154 miles (247.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 118.9 miles (191.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m 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
154.03 mi
02h 47m
Flight
118.88 mi
191.32 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Rainbow City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
118.88 mi
Kilometers
191.32 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.03 mi
Kilometers
247.88 km
Drive Time
02h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Phenix City
Tue, Apr 14, 9:40 PM EDT
Return by in Rainbow City
Tue, Apr 14, 11:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rainbow City
2026-04-14T17:53
Arrive Phenix City
Tue, Apr 14, 8:40 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:48 AM to 1:48 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rainbow City
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
Kellyton
AL

Town in Alabama, United States

From Rainbow City
76.9 mi
01h 23m
To Phenix City
77.2 mi
01h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    17 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    53 m · 6 sec

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto East Grand Avenue

    37 mi · 53 min · East Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Western Bypass

    22.7 mi · 26 min · Western Bypass

  5. 5

    Continue on Rockford Highway

    1 mi · 1 min · Rockford Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left

    1244 ft · 34 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    64.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  8. 8

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

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

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

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    80 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Columbus Parkway

    21.1 mi · 25 min · Columbus Parkway

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Opelika Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Opelika Road

  14. 14

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

    2387 ft · 1 min · Crawford Road

  15. 15

    Continue on 14th Street

    2175 ft · 1 min · 14th Street

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto 12th Avenue

    82 m · 8 sec · 12th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on 13th Street

    2667 ft · 1 min · 13th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    2 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow City 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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Rockford Highway
65.3 mi · 42%
East Grand Avenue
37 mi · 24%
Western Bypass
22.7 mi · 15%
Columbus Parkway
22.6 mi · 15%
I-85 North
3.24 mi · 2%
Opelika Road
0.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Rockford Highway

Merge slight left

64.3 mi · 01h 18m

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 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.1 mi
118.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kellyton
01h 23m from Rainbow City
Leave By
12:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Rainbow City and Sunny near Phenix City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 154 miles (247.9 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?

Kellyton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.9 miles from Rainbow City and 77.2 miles from Phenix City.

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

The direct path is about 118.9 miles (191.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 12:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.56 one way or $41.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Rainbow City 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 Rainbow City and Sunny near Phenix City.

Stop Ideas Near Kellyton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kellyton, 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 Kellyton.

RAIL

Anniston

77 mi away
126 West 4th St
BUS

Montgomery, AL

78 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
RAIL

Birmingham

93 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.
BUS

Brent, AL

106 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Rainbow City and Phenix City. Straight-line distance: 118.88 mi (191.32 km).

Rainbow City

#1 Rainbow City

City in Alabama, United States

Population9,611
Coordinates33.9548200, -86.0419200
Altitude170
CountryUnited States
Phenix City

#2 Phenix City

City in Alabama

Population36,487
Coordinates32.4709800, -85.0007700
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: Rainbow Drive (-86.04174, 33.954709)
End: 13th Street (-85.000758, 32.470959)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 248 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.43 gal
20.57 L · about $20.56
Round trip
$41.13
10.86 gal · 41.14 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.5 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $20.56 $41.13
Mid-grade $4.26 $23.13 $46.25
Premium $4.63 $25.11 $50.23
Diesel $5.42 $29.40 $58.81

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 14, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Rainbow City, AL and Phenix City, AL. The current time in Rainbow City is 17:53:09, although it is 18:53:09 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.