Chilton County Rest Area (Northbound)
0 mi from route
Trip from Phenix City, AL to Montevallo, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
152 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phenix City, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Montevallo, AL
Magda Ehlers
Trip Overview
Phenix City to Montevallo is 152 miles and takes about 2 hours 55 minutes via I-85 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Given that it's almost entirely highway driving, this route is a straightforward connection between two points. Plan for a quick trip, especially if you want to maximize your time at your destination.
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
76 miles from Phenix City, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 56.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 85 | 43.6 mi | 47m |
| US 280 | 39.3 mi | 44m |
| AL 25 | 7 mi | 10m |
| US 80 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Opelika Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Middle Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 13th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 56.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,128 veh/hr typical · worst 3,842
Quietest
2 AM
~272 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phenix City, AL and Montevallo, 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
18 mi
·
19 min
·
US 280
Toward I-85 South, US 29 South, US 280 West: Auburn, Montgomery
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on I 85
44 mi
·
47 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
11
Merge onto I 65; US 82
57 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 65; US 82
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera
13
Turn left onto AL 25
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
AL 25
14
Turn left onto US 31; AL 25
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 31; AL 25
15
Turn right onto AL 25
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
AL 25
16
Turn right onto AL 155
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Middle Street
17
Turn left onto Valley Street
188 ft
·
8 sec
·
Valley Street
18
Arrive at destination
Valley Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Phenix City in the morning should allow you to reach Montevallo with plenty of daylight remaining. Since this is a relatively short drive, you have flexibility with when you depart. The main roads are I-85 and I-65, so keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly if traveling during peak hours. With a fuel cost estimated around $22, it’s a budget-friendly option. Consider a brief stop midway if you feel the need to stretch your legs; the longest stretch without an exit is over 56 miles on I-65.
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 76 miles from Phenix City, AL, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76 miles or 1h 28m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montevallo, 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 152 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 65 for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76 miles from Phenix City, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Macon County Rest Area South Bound
0 mi from route
Chilton County Rest Area (Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Macon County Rest Area North Bound
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 145.2 — 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
86.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
143.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera
4
145.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
AL 25
Turn right onto AL 25
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.66 one way
$47.32 round trip
$3.95/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.09 | $52.17 |
| premium | $4.71 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $36.98 | $73.95 |
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: 53.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.96 | $7.30 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.28 | $9.73 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
Phenix City, AL
Morning in Phenix City on Sunday
Local time
10:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 15 to 20 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 7:37AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 2:23AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Montevallo, AL
Morning in Montevallo on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
N 15 to 20 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 7:37AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 2:23AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 152
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the 152 miles on major roads like I-85 and I-65. You'll experience a long stretch of 56.6 miles on I-65 without needing to exit. Expect minimal time on surface roads as you approach Montevallo, likely only in the final few miles. The prevalence of highway suggests frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate between these interstates.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.6 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I 85. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near US 80; US 280; US 431.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 55m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 86.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
700 ft
207 ft
Total Climb
1,023 ft
Total Descent
862 ft
Highest Point
700 ft
~21.7 mi in
Elevation Range
494 ft
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 Montevallo, AL, road signs point toward Montgomery and Calera.
Montgomery
24.9 mi in
|
~32m
|
via US 280
Calera
143.8 mi in
|
~2h 42m
About the Cities
Starting in Phenix City, AL
Full guide →Founded 1883
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
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 55m. Total distance: 152 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 86.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Montevallo, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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