This 247.1-mile journey from Carbon Hill, AL to Dothan, AL takes approximately 4 hours and 56 minutes, making it a manageable one-day road trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-65, US-231, and I-22, with 81% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $37, offering a budget-friendly way to travel within the Southeast region. While the longest stretch is 92.7 miles on I-65, the route is designed for a single-day adventure, so no overnight stays are typically needed. This drive offers a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B.
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
123.6 miles from Carbon Hill, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 247.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience the efficiency of interstates, including a significant 92.7-mile stretch on I-65 where you can maintain consistent speed. While the route is predominantly highway, the transition between I-65, US-231, and I-22 means you'll encounter some variations in the road's character. This highway-centric profile suggests a drive focused on covering distance effectively, rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 92.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 247.1 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 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Birmingham
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: Birmingham
5
5.9 mi into trip|~8m in|I 22; US 78
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
49.6 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
6
143 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
145.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
92.7 mi
1h 43m
US 231
62 mi
1h 22m
I 22
43.8 mi
46m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
1st Avenue North
4.4 mi
5m
I 85
2.7 mi
3m
McGehee Road
1.4 mi
2m
Zelda Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 92.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbon Hill, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Nauvoo Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·Nauvoo Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto AL 118
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast 1st Avenue
3
Continue on AL 118
4.4 mi·5 min·1st Avenue North
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I-22 East, US 78 East: BirminghamUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 22; US 78
44 mi·46 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·38 sec
Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 65
93 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
393 ft·9 sec
Exit 171Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
10
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann StreetUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft·8 sec·Ann Street
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
14
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Carter Hill Road
15
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
16
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
24
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
25
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 56-minute duration, starting your drive in Carbon Hill earlier in the day is advisable to arrive in Dothan with ample time. Plan for one stop to break up the nearly 250 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or where you can best access amenities. With 81% of the route on highways, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 92.7-mile stretch on I-65, to avoid any unexpected delays. The overall fuel cost of $37 is quite reasonable, so budgeting for fuel should be straightforward.
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 123.6 miles from Carbon Hill, AL, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.7 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 54 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
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 Carbon Hill, 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 Carbon Hill, AL
This is one driving day of about 247.1 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Carbon Hill, 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 92.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.6 mi from Carbon Hill, AL
· 2h 17m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.32 one way
$74.64 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$40.97
$81.93
premium
$4.56
$44.35
$88.70
diesel
$5.61
$54.56
$109.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.95
$11.86
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.59
$15.81
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Carbon Hill, AL
Late night
in Carbon Hill on Saturday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night
in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
4h 56m 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 Carbon Hill, AL to Dothan, AL covers 247.1 miles and takes about 4h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, US 231, I 22. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.6 miles from Carbon Hill, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.32 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 247.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carbon Hill, AL to Dothan, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
