This 162-mile drive from Calera, AL to Dothan, AL is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes. Focusing primarily on highways, about 75% of this journey utilizes major roadways like I-65 and US 231, making for an efficient drive through Alabama's Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this route is budget-friendly for a single-day excursion. The drive is generally focused on covering ground, with one recommended stop to break up the journey. You'll find this an easy option for a quick transition between two points in the state.
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
81 miles from Calera, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
62 mi
1h 22m
I 65
56.7 mi
1h 1m
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
16th Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 62 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Calera, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on this road
204 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Continue on AL 25
0.8 mi·1 min·16th Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
4
Merge onto I 65
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 65
5
Take the exit
393 ft·9 sec
Exit 171Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann StreetUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft·8 sec·Ann Street
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
11
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Carter Hill Road
12
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
13
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
16
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
21
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
22
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 21-minute duration, this 162-mile trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. Aim to depart Calera in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic and maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; consider a mid-drive break around the 62-mile mark on US 231. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $24 estimated cost suggests you'll want to plan for at least one refueling stop, especially if you depart with a less-than-full tank.
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 81 miles from Calera, AL, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 36 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81 miles or 1h 34m 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 40m
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 Calera, 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 Calera, AL
This is one driving day of about 162 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Calera, 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 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 61 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
57.8 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I-85 North: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 171
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
6
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
4
61 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|Ann Street
Turn right onto Ann Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.47 one way
$48.93 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$26.86
$53.72
premium
$4.56
$29.08
$58.15
diesel
$5.61
$35.77
$71.54
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: 56.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.6
0
$17.01
$7.78
Efficient EV
40.5
0
$14.17
$6.48
EV Truck/SUV
64.8
0
$22.68
$10.37
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Calera, AL
Afternoon
in Calera on Saturday
Local time
12:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Afternoon
in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
12:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
78°F
Troy, AL
81 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
10 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
3h 21m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 162-mile route, with 75% of your travel time spent on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62 miles along US 231, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While the profile suggests a highway focus, the inclusion of Troy Highway indicates you'll have some variation beyond pure interstate. This blend means you'll likely experience periods of steady travel interspersed with stretches that feel a bit more local, but the overall character is one of efficient transit.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62 mi on US 231.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and I 65. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 162 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 57.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 57.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Dothan is a city in southeastern Alabama, serving as the county seat of Houston County, and the chief city of the western Wiregrass region, an area encompassing portions of southeastern Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the panhandle of Florida. Its population in 2018 was about 68,000, making it the largest metropolitan area in southeastern Alabama.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 162 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62 miles on US 231. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Dothan, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 57.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 57.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Dothan, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
