Trip from Ardmore, AL to Dothan, AL

Drive Time

5h 54m

Distance

300.6 mi

484 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 41m ★

6 AM

5h 55m

8 AM

6h 21m

10 AM

6h 4m

12 PM

6h 1m

3 PM

6h 5m

5 PM

6h 19m

8 PM

5h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Ardmore, AL

Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga

Trip Overview

The drive from Ardmore, AL to Dothan, AL covers 300.6 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, I-65, US 231 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.3 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.95 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

150.3 miles from Ardmore, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 54m highway drive covering 300.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and I-65. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.3 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

874 ft 321 ft

Total Climb

429 ft

Total Descent

982 ft

Highest Point

874 ft

Elevation Range

553 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and I-65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 101.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 300.6 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 101.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 102.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

101.8 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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

102.3 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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

102.8 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Montgomery

196.4 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 85 North: Atlanta

199.4 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward Ann Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3 Toward Ann Street

Towns Along This Route

Between Ardmore, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.

Fultondale

101.8 mi in | ~1h 51m

Montgomery

102.8 mi in | ~1h 52m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 65	93.3 mi	1h 43m
I-65	87.6 mi	1h 33m
US 231	62 mi	1h 22m
Troy Highway	34.7 mi	41m
Interstate 65 South	10.8 mi	11m
I 85	2.7 mi	3m
7th Street	2.1 mi	3m
McGehee Road	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 65 — 93.3 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ardmore, AL and Dothan, AL.

Start on TN 7

137 ft · 6 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto AL 53

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Ardmore Avenue

Turn right onto AL 53

0.3 mi · 28 sec · 6th Street

At end of road, turn left onto AL 53

427 ft · 13 sec · 1st Avenue West

Turn right onto AL 53

2.1 mi · 3 min · 7th Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward Birmingham

Merge onto I 65; US 31

11 mi · 11 min · Interstate 65 South

Continue on I 65

0.2 mi · 11 sec · I 65

Continue on I 65

88 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I-65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 38 sec

Exit 265 Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 22 West: Memphis Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec

Toward Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 65

93 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 65

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

393 ft · 9 sec

Exit 171 Toward I-85 North: Atlanta

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward I 85 North: Atlanta

Continue on I 85

2.7 mi · 3 min · I 85

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Exit 3 Toward Ann Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Ann Street

436 ft · 8 sec · Ann Street

Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road

Continue on Carter Hill Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road

Turn left onto McGehee Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · McGehee Road

Continue on US 82; US 231

35 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 231

7.7 mi · 9 min · US 231

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.1 mi · 9 sec · US 231; AL 10

Continue on US 231; AL 10

2.0 mi · 3 min · US 231; AL 10

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 231; AL 10

7.6 mi · 10 min · US 231; AL 10

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 231; AL 10

38 mi · 47 min · US 231; AL 10

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 231

6.2 mi · 11 min · US 231

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto West Powell Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · West Powell Street

Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Saint Andrews Street

Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52

111 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street

Arrive at destination

US 84 Business; AL 52

Trip Plan

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 150.3 miles from Ardmore, AL, or about 2h 45m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.3 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 150.3 miles or 2h 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dothan, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, AL

This is one driving day of about 300.6 miles and 5h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ardmore, 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 93.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 150.3 mi from Ardmore, AL · 2h 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbiana, AL

150 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

Hayden, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbiana, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.3 miles from Ardmore, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.3 miles.

Arriving in Dothan, AL

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.95 one way

$91.91 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.26	$50.40	$100.81
premium	$4.61	$54.56	$109.12
diesel	$5.64	$66.78	$133.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.2	1	$31.56	$14.43
Efficient EV	75.2	0	$26.30	$12.02
EV Truck/SUV	120.2	1	$42.08	$19.24

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 9 hours ago

Origin

Ardmore, AL

Afternoon in Ardmore on Sunday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Destination

Dothan, AL

Afternoon in Dothan on Sunday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

86°F

Columbiana, AL

150 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 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

5h 54m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Ardmore, AL to Dothan, AL covers 300.6 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 65, I-65, US 231. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 150.3 miles from Ardmore, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Ardmore, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 321 ft to 874 ft elevation with about 429 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Dothan, AL to Ardmore, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

300.5 mi 5h 54m

Explore more options from Ardmore, AL or browse trips ending in Dothan, AL.

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Trip from Ardmore, AL to Dothan, AL

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Dothan, AL

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ardmore, AL

Dothan, AL

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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