Origin
Centre, AL
Afternoon in Centre on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centre, AL to Dothan, AL
Drive Time
5h 15m
Distance
248.8 mi
400 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 2m
★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 25m
12 PM
5h 22m
3 PM
5h 26m
5 PM
5h 41m
8 PM
5h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centre, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Trip Overview
Spanning 248.8 miles across Alabama, this trip from Centre to Dothan typically takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay, making this an efficient travel option. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Throughout the route, you will navigate via US 231, Broadway Avenue, and East Grand Avenue. The trek keeps you within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the northern reaches of the state down toward the Wiregrass area. It is a straightforward, practical route that serves as a reliable link between these two Alabama communities.
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
124.4 miles from Centre, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between various road types along the way. With a highway share of 36%, you won't be confined to a monotonous interstate grind for the entire duration. The route features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 69.5 miles on US 231, providing a consistent rhythm before the road character shifts. You will encounter a blend of faster highway segments and local town passages that keep the drive engaging. Navigating these transitions requires a bit of focus, but the mix prevents the trip from feeling stagnant while you make your way south.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 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 around 0.1 miles in near AL 283 / North River Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AL 283 / North River Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.5 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (AL 21 / Western Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 283 / North River Street
Turn left onto AL 283 / North River Street
Navigation decision point
5
28.5 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
AL 77 / East Grand Avenue
Turn left onto AL 77 / East Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
65.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
AL 21 / Western Bypass
Turn right onto AL 21 / Western Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
143.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
151.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 231 | 69.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| Broadway Avenue | 54.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| East Grand Avenue | 37 mi | 52m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Western Bypass | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| US 411 | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| Rainbow Drive | 4 mi | 6m |
| North Albert Rains Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centre, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on AL 283
314 ft
·
5 sec
·
Cedar Bluff Road
2
Turn slight left
109 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn left onto AL 283
408 ft
·
10 sec
·
North River Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 411 Business
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on US 411; AL 68
20 mi
·
22 min
·
US 411; AL 68
6
Continue on Ewing Avenue
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
Ewing Avenue
7
Continue on US 411
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Albert Rains Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 411
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Rainbow Drive
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto AL 77
37 mi
·
52 min
·
East Grand Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Western Bypass
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockford Highway
12
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the none lane.
21
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
22
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
23
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Since this is a five-hour trek, plan to leave early in the morning to avoid hitting peak traffic during the later portions of your journey. You only have one planned stop on this itinerary, so pace yourself to ensure you stay alert behind the wheel. Given the $38 fuel estimate, it is wise to top off your tank before departing Centre to avoid unnecessary mid-trip detours. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition off US 231 and onto Broadway Avenue and East Grand Avenue, as speed limits often decrease when entering town centers. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on your personal comfort, but staying consistent with your planned stop will keep your arrival time predictable.
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 124.4 miles from Centre, AL, or about 2h 36m 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 36m 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 15m
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 Centre, 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 Centre, AL
This is one driving day of about 248.8 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Centre, 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 124.4 mi from Centre, AL · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.4 miles from Centre, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.04 one way
$76.07 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $41.72 | $83.44 |
| premium | $4.61 | $45.16 | $90.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.27 | $110.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.12 | $11.94 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.77 | $9.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.5 | 1 | $34.83 | $15.92 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Dothan, AL
Afternoon in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 15m 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 Centre, AL to Dothan, AL covers 248.8 miles and takes about 5h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, Broadway Avenue, East Grand Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.4 miles from Centre, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.04 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 straightforward 5h 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AL 283 / North River Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.5 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 65.5 miles (AL 21 / Western Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Centre, AL to Dothan, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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