Traveling from Centre to Phenix City covers 154.5 miles through the heart of Southeast Alabama. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 29 minutes of drive time, making this a straightforward journey that easily fits into a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it is an affordable route for a quick trip between these two regions. Because the duration is manageable, you will likely find that one stop is sufficient to keep you refreshed behind the wheel. Whether you are heading south for business or a weekend visit, this route offers a practical connection across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.2 miles from Centre, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martha Berry Highway
31.7 mi
37m
Chet Atkins Parkway
31 mi
33m
US 27
23.4 mi
30m
US 411
19.3 mi
28m
North Park Street
11.4 mi
17m
New Franklin Road
7.5 mi
11m
Hamilton Road
7.2 mi
10m
Cave Spring Road
4.7 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
Martha Berry Highway
— 31.7 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centre, AL and Phenix City, AL.
1
Start on AL 283
314 ft·5 sec·Cedar Bluff Road
2
Turn slight left
109 ft·6 sec
3
Turn left onto AL 283
408 ft·14 sec·North River Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 411 Business
2.2 mi·3 min·West Main Street
5
Turn straight onto US 411
19 mi·28 min·US 411
6
Turn right onto Old Cedartown Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Cedartown Road
7
Continue on Cave Spring Cedartown Road Southwest
1.2 mi·2 min·Cave Spring Cedartown Road Southwest
8
Continue on Old Cave Spring Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Old Cave Spring Road
9
Continue on Cave Spring Road
4.7 mi·8 min·Cave Spring Road
10
Continue on North Cave Spring Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cave Spring Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto Wissahickon Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Wissahickon Avenue
12
At end of road, turn right onto South College Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South College Street
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 278; GA 6; GA 100
0.1 mi·16 sec·Canal Street
14
Turn right onto US 27 Business; GA 1 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 27; GA 1; GA 100
23 mi·30 min·US 27; GA 1; GA 100
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 27; GA 1
11 mi·17 min·North Park Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 27; GA 1
32 mi·37 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 27; GA 1
7.5 mi·11 min·New Franklin Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 27; US 29; GA 1; GA 14
0.5 mi·1 min·Morgan Street
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 27; GA 1; GA 219
0.2 mi·31 sec·Whitesville Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
7.2 mi·10 min·Hamilton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 South: Columbus
23
Merge onto I 185
31 mi·33 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 10Toward GA 540, GA 22, US 80: Phenix City Alabama, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward GA 22 West, US 80 West: Phenix City, Alabama
26
Merge onto US 80; GA 22; GA 540
3.2 mi·3 min·J.R. Allen Freeway
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 80
0.9 mi·1 min·Phenix City North Bypass
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
29
Turn left onto Summerville Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Summerville Road
30
Continue on Broad Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·Broad Street
31
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to depart early to avoid potential traffic fluctuations along your route. Plan for one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, especially since you have nearly 3.5 hours of time in the car. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, keeping in mind that the $24 estimate can vary based on your vehicle's efficiency and local gas prices. Because you are navigating a mix of roads including US 27, stay alert for changes in speed limits when transitioning from highway stretches to local sections. Embracing the flexibility of this shorter distance allows you to set your own pace without the pressure of an overnight stay.
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 77.2 miles from Centre, AL, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.7 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 34 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phenix City, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Centre, 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 Centre, AL
This is one driving day of about 154.5 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Centre, 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 Martha Berry Highway for about 31.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 146.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 411 Business / West Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 411 Business / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
31.4 mi into trip|~50m in|South College Street
At end of road, turn right onto South College Street
Navigation decision point
6
33.4 mi into trip|~54m in|US 27; GA 1; GA 100
At end of road, turn left onto US 27; GA 1; GA 100
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
146.6 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward GA 540, GA 22, US 80: Phenix City Alabama, Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward GA 540, GA 22, US 80: Phenix City Alabam...
6
146.9 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GA 22 West, US 80 West: Phenix City, Alabama
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward GA 22 West, US 80 West: Phenix City, Ala...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.33 one way
$46.67 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.61
$51.23
premium
$4.56
$27.73
$55.46
diesel
$5.61
$34.11
$68.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.4
0
$16.22
$7.42
Efficient EV
38.6
0
$13.52
$6.18
EV Truck/SUV
61.8
0
$21.63
$9.89
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Centre, AL
Late night
in Centre on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phenix City, AL
Late night
in Phenix City on Tuesday
Local time
5:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 29m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed driving profile, requiring you to navigate both major thoroughfares and smaller local roads. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of Martha Berry Highway, Chet Atkins Parkway, and US 27. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 31.7 miles along the Martha Berry Highway, which provides a consistent rhythm to your drive. Expect the road conditions to shift as you transition between these different roadway types throughout the 154.5-mile journey.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.7 mi on Martha Berry Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 411 Business / West Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 154.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 411 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.4 miles (South College Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (US 27; GA 1; GA 100): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,343 ft241 ft
Total Climb
1,045 ft
Total Descent
1,466 ft
Highest Point
1,343 ft
~55.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,101 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 Centre, AL to Phenix City, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.
Columbus is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland, near the Chattahoochee River and bordering Alabama. It is known for its Southern hospitality, unique attractions, and proximity to Fort Benning.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 154.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 31.7 miles on Martha Berry Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Phenix City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 411 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 31.4 miles (South College Street): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (US 27; GA 1; GA 100): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Phenix City, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
