Moulton, AL to Phenix City, AL is 223 miles and takes about 4 hours 34 minutes via US 280, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting the Southeast region from start to finish. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient drive across the state.
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
111.6 miles from Moulton, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 280
113.8 mi
2h 23m
Heroes Highway
43.8 mi
46m
University of North Alabama Highway
31 mi
37m
Columbus Parkway
21.1 mi
24m
I 65
3.9 mi
4m
Red Mountain Expressway
2.5 mi
3m
Court Street
1.1 mi
2m
I 20
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 113.8 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moulton, AL and Phenix City, AL.
1
Start on Big Nance Street
144 ft·8 sec·Big Nance Street
2
Turn right onto Court Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Court Street
3
Turn right onto AL 157
31 mi·37 min·University of North Alabama Highway
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
5
Merge onto I 65
44 mi·46 min·Heroes Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 265Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, FultondaleUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·37 sec
Toward I 22 West: MemphisUse the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 65
3.9 mi·4 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 261BToward I 20 East, I 59 North: Atlanta, Gadsden
11
Merge onto I 20; I 59
1.0 mi·1 min·I 20; I 59
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 126AToward US 31, US 280: Carraway Boulevard, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 31 South, US 280 EastUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto US 31; US 280
2.5 mi·3 min·Red Mountain Expressway
15
Take the exit onto US 280
18 mi·24 min·US 280
Toward US 280 East: Sylacauga, Zoo GardensUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 280
91 mi·1 hr 52 min·US 280
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
17
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.
18
Take the exit onto US 280
0.2 mi·28 sec·US 280
Toward US 280, US 431: Opelika, Phenix City
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
263 ft·6 sec·US 280
20
Merge onto US 280; US 431
21 mi·24 min·Columbus Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 280; US 431
1.5 mi·2 min·US 280; US 431
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Opelika Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto Crawford Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Crawford Road
24
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·14th Street
25
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
269 ft·7 sec·12th Avenue
26
Continue on 13th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·13th Street
27
Turn left onto Broad Street
8 ft·0 sec·Broad Street
28
Arrive at destination
Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 34 minute drive time, leaving Moulton in the morning will allow you to reach Phenix City well before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before the longest stretch on US 280. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 113.8-mile segment on US 280, as fuel options might be less frequent. Your estimated fuel cost is around $33, so budget for that before you depart.
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 111.6 miles from Moulton, AL, or about 2h 15m 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.6 miles or 2h 15m 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 43m
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 Moulton, 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 Moulton, AL
This is one driving day of about 223.2 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Moulton, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 76.3 and 194.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
83 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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
194.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
$30.98 one way
$61.97 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$34.67
$69.33
premium
$4.29
$37.69
$75.38
diesel
$4.80
$42.14
$84.29
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: 78.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.71
Efficient EV
55.8
0
$19.53
$8.93
EV Truck/SUV
89.3
1
$31.25
$14.28
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Moulton, AL
Late night
in Moulton on Monday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 to 10 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:42PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:39PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Phenix City, AL
Late night
in Phenix City on Monday
Local time
2:45 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:42PM CDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:39PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
2 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
4h 34m 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...
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 on highways, with 64% of the route utilizing them. You'll encounter a long stretch of 113.8 miles on US 280 before transitioning to other roads. The majority of your time will be spent on these main arteries, suggesting a consistent cruising speed for much of the trip. Expect to merge and navigate highway exits frequently.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 Heroes Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.3 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 21 significant decision points across 223.2 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 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
854 ft241 ft
Total Climb
1,036 ft
Total Descent
1,429 ft
Highest Point
854 ft
~143.5 mi in
Elevation Range
612 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Moulton, 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.
Top landmarks
•Brooks-Hughes House — house in Phenix City, Alabama
•Floyd-Newsome House — house in Phenix City, Alabama
•Shapre-Monte House — house in Phenix City, Alabama
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 223.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.8 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Phenix City, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
