Origin
Phenix City, AL
Morning in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
10:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phenix City, AL to Highland Lakes, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
127.6 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Highland Lakes, AL
Surja Raj
Trip Overview
Phenix City to Highland Lakes is 127.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 42 minutes via US 280, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily follows US 280, taking you from Alabama's Southeast region into another part of the state. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused nature, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. Expect a consistent travel experience with minimal variation in road type. It's a practical choice if you need to cover this distance efficiently.
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
63.8 miles from Phenix City, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 280 | 117.4 mi | 2h 22m |
| Birmingham Highway | 3 mi | 3m |
| US 80 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Gateway Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Highland Lakes Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Opelika Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Crawford Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 280
— 117.4 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City, AL and Highland Lakes, AL.
1
Start on Broad Street
8 ft
·
1 sec
·
Broad Street
2
Turn right onto 13th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street
3
Continue on 14th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street
4
Continue on Crawford Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Crawford Road
5
Turn right onto Opelika Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Opelika Road
6
Turn right onto US 80; US 280; US 431
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US 80; US 280; US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 280; US 431
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 280; US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 280
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 280
Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 280
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 280
285 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 280
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 280
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Gateway Drive
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 280
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Birmingham Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 280
93 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
US 280
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto Highland Lakes Drive
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Highland Lakes Drive
15
Turn left onto Highland Lakes Trail
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Lakes Trail
16
Turn right onto Blue Heron Point
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Blue Heron Point
17
Arrive at destination
Blue Heron Point
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 3 hours, this route offers flexibility; you can leave any time of day and still comfortably reach your destination. The $19 fuel cost is minimal, so plan your fill-ups accordingly, though you'll likely only need one significant stop if your tank isn't full at the start. Given the 127.6-mile distance, stretching your legs once around the halfway point would be a good idea. Since the longest stretch is over 100 miles on US 280, be mindful of traffic patterns on this main highway as you approach your destination.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.8 miles from Phenix City, AL, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.4 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.8 miles or 1h 21m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Lakes, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 127.6 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Phenix City, 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 117.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.8 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 117.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 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.
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 80; US 280; US 431
Turn right onto US 80; US 280; US 431
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
24.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 280
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
Use the left lane.
Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Au...
5
28 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 280
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
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
8
28.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 280
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
Use the right lane.
Toward US 280 West: Opelika, Birmingham
5
28.4 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 280 / Gateway Drive
Merge onto US 280 / Gateway Drive
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.27 one way
$38.54 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $21.15 | $42.31 |
| premium | $4.56 | $22.90 | $45.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.17 | $56.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.17 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.86 | $8.17 |
Gas CO2
45 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Highland Lakes, AL
Morning in Highland Lakes on Sunday
Local time
9:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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 earlier
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
2h 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on US 280, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 117.4 miles. The profile suggests a consistent experience, meaning you likely won't encounter many sharp turns or significant changes in elevation. It's designed for steady progress, making it predictable for drivers. Birmingham Highway and US 80 also play a role, but US 280 is the dominant artery for this segment.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.4 mi on US 280.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 280 and Birmingham Highway. You will hit about 9 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.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 127.6 miles you will encounter 9 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Phenix City, AL and Highland Lakes, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery and Birmingham.
Montgomery
24.9 mi in
|
~32m
|
via US 280
Birmingham
28 mi in
|
~35m
|
via US 280
About the Cities
Starting in Phenix City, AL
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 127.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.4 miles on US 280. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Highland Lakes, AL before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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