Origin
Phenix City, AL
Morning in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
130.1 mi
209 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Brook Highland, AL
Michał Robak
Phenix City to Brook Highland is 130 miles and takes about 2 hours 46 minutes via US 280, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive primarily on highways, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended single day for travel, it's a manageable route for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B.
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
65 miles from Phenix City, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 119.8 mi | 2h 26m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| US 80 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Gateway Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Opelika Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Brook Highland Parkway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Cahaba Valley Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City, AL and Brook Highland, AL.
Start on Broad Street
Turn right onto 13th Street
Continue on 14th Street
Continue on Crawford Road
Turn right onto Opelika Road
Turn right onto US 80; US 280; US 431
Continue on US 280; US 431
Take the exit onto US 280
Take the exit onto US 280
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
Merge onto US 280
Continue on US 280
Continue on US 280
Turn right onto AL 119
Turn left onto Brook Highland Parkway
Turn right onto Brook Highland Drive
Turn right onto Brook Highland Trace
At end of road, turn left onto Kinross Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the 2 hour 46 minute duration, this is a perfect same-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Brook Highland. You'll only need one stop, so plan it strategically around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break on the 119.8-mile stretch of US 280. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $20 budget suggests a straightforward fill-up, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brook Highland, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Phenix City, 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 Phenix City, AL
This is one driving day of about 130.1 miles and 2h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 65 miles from Phenix City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 280 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 28.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 80; US 280; US 431
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 280 toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 280 toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280 toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto US 280 / Gateway Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$19.65 one way
$39.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $21.57 | $43.14 |
| premium | $4.56 | $23.35 | $46.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.72 | $57.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| Efficient EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52 | 0 | $18.21 | $8.33 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Brook Highland on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This route is almost entirely highway-focused, with 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 119.8 miles on US 280, meaning long periods of consistent driving. While Birmingham Highway and US 80 are also part of the itinerary, the overall character is that of a high-speed, direct connection. Expect a smooth, predictable journey with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and Birmingham Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near US 80; US 280; US 431.
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 130.1 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 2.2 miles (US 80; US 280; US 431): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.9 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28 miles (US 280): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Phenix City, AL and Brook Highland, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery and Birmingham.
Montgomery
Birmingham
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 130.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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