How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Phenix City, AL?
The driving distance from Tuscaloosa, AL to Phenix City, AL is about 184.2 miles (296.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.6 miles (253.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 10m.
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
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tuscaloosa and Phenix City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tuscaloosa and Phenix City.
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1
Start on the route
40 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn right onto University Boulevard
718 ft · 22 sec · University Boulevard
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3
Turn left onto Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
2802 ft · 1 min · Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard South
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4
Continue straight
1785 ft · 25 sec
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5
Continue straight
1.7 mi · 2 min
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6
Take the exit slight right
772 ft · 19 sec
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7
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left
34.2 mi · 37 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 459 North: Gadsden, Atlanta
2902 ft · 1 min
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10
Continue on John M. Harbert III Freeway
19.1 mi · 20 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 280: Mountain Brook, Childersburg
769 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 280 East: Childersburg
2963 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto United States Highway 280
12.6 mi · 18 min · United States Highway 280
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14
Take the exit straight
91.2 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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15
Take the exit left toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
3.2 mi · 4 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
1185 ft · 29 sec
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17
Keep slight right
80 m · 6 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Columbus Parkway
21.1 mi · 25 min · Columbus Parkway
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19
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 2 min
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20
Turn left onto Opelika Road
1.3 km · 1 min · Opelika Road
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Crawford Road
2387 ft · 1 min · Crawford Road
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22
Continue on 14th Street
2175 ft · 1 min · 14th Street
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23
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
82 m · 8 sec · 12th Avenue
-
24
Continue on 13th Street
2667 ft · 1 min · 13th Street
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25
Turn left onto Broad Street
2 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broad Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tuscaloosa and Phenix City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
United States Highway 280
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.
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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa to Phenix City?
The road trip is about 184.2 miles (296.5 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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 95.1 miles from Tuscaloosa and 89.2 miles from Phenix City.
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 26.6 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Tuscaloosa and Phenix City, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tuscaloosa and Mostly Sunny near Phenix City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tuscaloosa and Phenix City. Straight-line distance: 157.59 mi (253.62 km).
#1 Tuscaloosa
The most populous city in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
| Population | 102,819 |
| Coordinates | 33.2098400, -87.5691700 |
| Altitude | 68 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Phenix City
City in Alabama
| Population | 36,487 |
| Coordinates | 32.4709800, -85.0007700 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
End: 13th Street (-85.000758, 32.470959)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $24.62 | $49.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $27.68 | $55.37 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $30.06 | $60.13 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $35.20 | $70.40 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.