Auburn to Phil Campbell is 203 miles and takes about 4 hours 17 minutes via US 280 and I 22, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region from one end to the other. Most of this trip is highway driving, making it a straightforward transit. Given the relatively short duration, it's a solid option for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
101.8 miles from Auburn, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
59 mi
1h 10m
I 22
55.6 mi
59m
US 231
42.8 mi
57m
AL 13
32.5 mi
48m
North College Street
4.8 mi
7m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
I 65
1.7 mi
2m
Carraway Boulevard
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 59 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-22
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~897 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,124
Quietest
2 AM
~129 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, AL and Phil Campbell, AL.
1
Start on this road
291 ft·24 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto North College Street
4.0 mi·6 min·North College Street
3
Enter roundabout onto AL 147
79 ft·1 sec·North College Street
4
Continue on AL 147
0.7 mi·1 min·North College Street
5
Take the ramp onto AL 147
165 ft·3 sec·North College Street
6
Continue on US 280; AL 147
14 mi·15 min·US 280; AL 147
7
Continue on US 280; AL 50
6.4 mi·7 min·US 280; AL 50
8
Continue on US 280; AL 49
13 mi·15 min·US 280; AL 49
9
Continue on US 280; AL 22
26 mi·30 min·US 280; AL 22
10
Continue on US 231; US 280
43 mi·57 min·US 231; US 280
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 280
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
12
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.9 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 31
1.5 mi·3 min·Carraway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn left onto AL 378
0.6 mi·1 min·Finley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto 19th Street North
49 ft·1 sec·19th Street North
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 65 North
17
Merge onto I 65
1.7 mi·2 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 265AToward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 22
56 mi·59 min·I 22
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 39Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
21
Turn right onto AL 13
9.9 mi·14 min·AL 13
22
Continue on US 278; AL 13
0.5 mi·43 sec·US 278; AL 13
23
Continue on AL 13
23 mi·33 min·AL 13
24
Turn left onto McClung Avenue
101 ft·4 sec·McClung Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
McClung Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 17-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $32, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the 59-mile stretch on US 280, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can decide on your stop based on comfort rather than necessity.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 101.8 miles from Auburn, AL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phil Campbell, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Auburn, AL
This is one driving day of about 203.6 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Auburn, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 280 for about 59 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10 to $20
Birmingham, Alabama
Hours: 3–10 PM
+12058746361
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 170.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North College Street
At end of road, turn right onto North College Street
Navigation decision point
5
106.2 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 North, US 280 West: Birmingham
5
106.5 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway
Merge onto US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West: Memphis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265A
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
6
170.3 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 39
Toward 13: Natural Bridge, Eldridge
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.29 one way
$62.59 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$34.61
$69.22
premium
$4.65
$37.25
$74.50
diesel
$5.35
$42.88
$85.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.38
$9.77
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.50
$13.03
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of May 25, 2026
Origin
Auburn, AL
Afternoon
in Auburn on Wednesday
Local time
4:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Rain Showers
SE 0 to 5 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 11:29PM CDT until May 26 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 24 at 11:15PM CDT until May 25 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Destination
Phil Campbell, AL
Afternoon
in Phil Campbell on Wednesday
Local time
4:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 24 at 11:29PM CDT until May 26 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued May 24 at 11:15PM CDT until May 25 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
68°F
Mountain Brook, AL
102 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 112.3
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of the 203 miles on major roads like US 280 and I 22. You'll experience a significant stretch of 59 miles on US 280 before transitioning to interstate. Expect consistent cruising with minimal interruption from frequent exits for most of the journey. The majority of the trip will feel like high-speed transit, with surface roads making up only a small portion.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and I 22. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North College Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 203.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North College Street): Navigation decision point; at 106.2 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles (US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,025 ft321 ft
Total Climb
1,062 ft
Total Descent
738 ft
Highest Point
1,025 ft
~203.6 mi in
Elevation Range
705 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Auburn, AL to Phil Campbell, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Eldridge along the way.
Auburn is in the River Heritage region of Alabama, and home to Auburn University in downtown Auburn. During the university's home football games, the town fills up with thousands of alumni and college football fans for a weekend of tailgating.
Top landmarks
•Auburn University Historic District — historic district in Auburn, Alabama
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 203.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59 miles on US 280. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Phil Campbell, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North College Street): Navigation decision point; at 106.2 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles (US 31; US 280 / Red Mountain Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Phil Campbell, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
