Traveling from Kimberly to Phenix City covers 160.3 miles across the Southeast, making for a straightforward drive that typically lasts 3 hours and 23 minutes. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-65 and US 280, keeping your fuel budget around $25 for the trip. This highway-focused route is ideal if you are looking for a direct connection between these two Alabama locations. It serves as a practical transit option, allowing you to move efficiently between the northern and eastern parts of 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
80.2 miles from Kimberly, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
113.8 mi
2h 23m
Columbus Parkway
21.1 mi
24m
I 65
12.9 mi
14m
US 31
3.9 mi
5m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Opelika Road
0.8 mi
1m
13th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 113.8 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kimberly, AL and Phenix City, AL.
1
Start on US 31
3.9 mi·5 min·US 31
2
Turn right onto Mary Buckelew Parkway
0.3 mi·34 sec·Mary Buckelew Parkway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
9.0 mi·9 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 65
3.9 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 261BToward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
10
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 126AToward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 EastUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
14
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi·24 min·US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo GardensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 280
91 mi·1 hr 52 min·US 280
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 280
3.2 mi·3 min·US 280
Toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: AtlantaUse the left lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 280
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 280
Toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
263 ft·6 sec·US 280
19
Merge onto US 280; US 431
21 mi·24 min·Columbus Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 280; US 431
1.5 mi·2 min·US 280; US 431
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Opelika Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto Crawford Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Crawford Road
23
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
24
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
269 ft·7 sec·12th Avenue
25
Continue on 13th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·13th Street
26
Turn left onto Broad Street
8 ft·0 sec·Broad Street
27
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is just under 3.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You should budget for at least one stop during the drive to break up the long 113.8-mile stretch on US 280. Keep an eye on your fuel levels early on, as the $25 estimate assumes consistent highway speeds. If you want to avoid peak congestion, try to time your transit to bypass busier intersections near the larger hubs along the way. Because this is a compact, single-day route, packing snacks and water for the car is more practical than planning multiple lengthy roadside breaks.
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 80.2 miles from Kimberly, AL, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 43m 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 46m
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 Kimberly, 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 Kimberly, AL
This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Kimberly, 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 113.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.4 and 132 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
13.4 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
14 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
8
19.9 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downtown
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 126A
Toward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, Downt...
8
20.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 31 South, US 280 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 31 South, US 280 East
9
132 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|US 280
Take the exit onto US 280 toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-85 North, US 29 North, US 280 East: At...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.21 one way
$48.42 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.58
$53.15
premium
$4.56
$28.77
$57.54
diesel
$5.61
$35.39
$70.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.03
$6.41
EV Truck/SUV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kimberly, AL
Morning
in Kimberly on Sunday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phenix City, AL
Morning
in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
7:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Vincent, AL
80 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 23m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a consistent highway-focused experience, as 97% of this drive takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 280, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 113.8 miles. The transition from the I-65 corridor onto US 280 dictates the pace, shifting from heavy interstate traffic to a more sustained highway rhythm. While the route is highly efficient for reaching your destination, the reliance on high-speed roads means you should prepare for a steady, focused drive. By the time you reach Columbus Parkway, you will have completed the bulk of your navigation.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and Columbus Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 160.3 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 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kimberly, AL and Phenix City, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale, Montgomery, Gadsden, Downtown and Zoo Gardens.
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 23m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on US 280. 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 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Phenix City, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
