Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
172.3 mi
277 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Photo: Muhammad Nabeel
The drive from Alabaster, AL to Dothan, AL covers 172.3 miles and takes about 3h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 65, US 231, Troy Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.7 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
86.1 miles from Alabaster, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
This is a 3h 32m highway drive covering 172.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and US 231. The longest continuous stretch is about 66.7 miles on I 65.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
985 ft
Total Descent
1,146 ft
Highest Point
688 ft
~22.1 mi in
Elevation Range
538 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 68.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I-85 North: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward Ann Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Ann Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 66.7 mi | 1h 12m |
| US 231 | 62 mi | 1h 22m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| I 85 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| McGehee Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Zelda Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Carter Hill Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| 1st Street South | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Alabaster, AL and Dothan, AL.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn right onto US 31; AL 119
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 85
Take the exit
Turn right onto Ann Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
Continue on Carter Hill Road
Turn left onto McGehee Road
Continue on US 82; US 231
Continue on US 231
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231
Turn left onto West Powell Street
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.1 miles or 1h 40m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dothan, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Alabaster, 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 Alabaster, AL
This is one driving day of about 172.3 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.1 mi from Alabaster, AL · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.1 miles from Alabaster, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.7 miles.
The final approach into Dothan, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dothan, AL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$26.34 one way
$52.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $28.89 | $57.78 |
| premium | $4.61 | $31.27 | $62.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.28 | $76.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.09 | $8.27 |
| Efficient EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.08 | $6.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in Alabaster on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
9:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Clio, AL
86 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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.
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