This 315.2-mile journey from Bridgeport to Dothan, Alabama, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. You'll primarily navigate on US 231, with some time on Broadway Avenue and West Grand Avenue. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, this drive offers a straightforward experience through Alabama's Southeast region. While it's definitely manageable in a single day, the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 69.5 miles, giving you ample opportunity to break up the drive if needed. This route provides a practical way to connect these two Alabama cities.
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
157.6 miles from Bridgeport, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 315.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Bridgeport to Dothan features a mixed profile, with 41% of the journey on highways. Expect a blend of driving experiences as you travel south. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 69.5 miles, primarily on US 231, which suggests a good portion of the drive will be on a consistent road. This means you'll likely experience a mix of faster-paced highway driving interspersed with more local road sections as you pass through various communities.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 231 is the longest continuous segment at about 69.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Alabama Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 37m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Alabama Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Alabama Avenue
Turn left onto Alabama Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|7th Street
Turn right onto 7th Street
Navigation decision point
6
90.2 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
6
210.3 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
217.9 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bridgeport, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
Rainbow City
90.2 mi in|~1h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
69.5 mi
1h 33m
Broadway Avenue
55.1 mi
1h 3m
West Grand Avenue
40.9 mi
59m
I 59
37.1 mi
39m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
John T Reid Parkway
22.1 mi
25m
Veterans Drive
12.7 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bridgeport, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Johnson Street
37 ft·6 sec·Johnson Street
2
Turn left onto Alabama Avenue
0.2 mi·28 sec·Alabama Avenue
3
Turn right onto 7th Street
389 ft·16 sec·7th Street
4
Turn left onto Broadway Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue
5
Continue on CR 75
0.2 mi·23 sec·Lewis Payne Drive
6
Turn right onto CR 94
1.4 mi·3 min·County Road 94
7
Turn left onto US 72
10 mi·11 min·John T Reid Parkway
8
Continue on US 72
0.8 mi·56 sec·Lee Highway
9
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·John T Reid Parkway
10
Continue on US 72
2.0 mi·2 min·Lee Highway
11
Continue on US 72
10.0 mi·11 min·John T Reid Parkway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward 35: Veterans Drive
13
Turn left onto AL 35
13 mi·17 min·Veterans Drive
14
Continue on AL 35
8.9 mi·12 min·West Main Street
15
Continue on AL 35
3.7 mi·4 min·Love Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
17
Merge onto I 59
37 mi·39 min·I 59
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 181Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
19
Turn right onto AL 77
0.5 mi·1 min·Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on AL 77
41 mi·59 min·West Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi·26 min·Western Bypass
22
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockford Highway
23
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi·11 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
28
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
33
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
34
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 37-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Bridgeport to maximize daylight and arrive in Dothan with time to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $48, you can be quite flexible with your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 69.5-mile stretch on US 231, to ensure you don't need to search for a station in a less populated area. Planning for one well-timed break will make the drive comfortable and efficient.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.6 miles from Bridgeport, AL, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.5 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 69 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.6 miles or 3h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 20m
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 Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport, AL
This is one driving day of about 315.2 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Bridgeport, 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 231 for about 69.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.6 mi from Bridgeport, AL
· 3h 20m into the drive
The midpoint is around 157.6 miles from Bridgeport, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 231 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.5 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Russell Cave National Monument
National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifa...
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 126.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.60 one way
$95.21 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$52.26
$104.51
premium
$4.56
$56.57
$113.15
diesel
$5.61
$69.59
$139.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.6
1
$33.10
$15.13
Efficient EV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
EV Truck/SUV
126.1
1
$44.13
$20.17
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Bridgeport, AL
Morning
in Bridgeport on Friday
Local time
8:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Morning
in Dothan on Friday
Local time
8:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Columbiana, AL
158 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
27 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
6h 37m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bridgeport, AL to Dothan, AL covers 315.2 miles and takes about 6h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, Broadway Avenue, West Grand Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.6 miles from Bridgeport, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.60 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 37m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Alabama Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 90.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bridgeport, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Russell Cave National Monument and Freedom Riders National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets —
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap
for geometry@if($hasFuel),
EIA
for fuel prices@endif@if($hasWeather),
NOAA Climate Normals
for seasonal conditions@endif@if($hasElevation),
USGS 3DEP
for elevation@endif@if($hasEv),
NREL
for EV charging@endif@if($hasParks),
and NPS
for national parks@endif. See our
methodology
for refresh cadence and limitations.
