Origin
Childersburg, AL
Evening in Childersburg on Sunday
Local time
6:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
171.5 mi
276 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Childersburg, AL
Eslam Mohammed Abdelmaksoud
Trip Overview
Traveling from Childersburg to Dothan takes you across 171.5 miles of Alabama terrain, typically requiring about 3 hours and 14 minutes of driving time. Because this is a relatively straightforward distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this route involves a combination of local roadways, including 1st Street Southwest, Rockford Highway, and Broadway Avenue. Since both your starting point and destination are located within the Southeast region, the trip offers a consistent feel as you traverse the state. It is a practical, manageable drive for those looking to connect these two Alabama hubs efficiently.
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
85.7 miles from Childersburg, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through various local roads, meaning the journey requires your full attention behind the wheel as you transition between sections like Rockford Highway and Broadway Avenue. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—with the longest segment on 1st Street Southwest measuring 0 miles—the drive remains dynamic and requires frequent adjustments. This personality makes it a more engaging experience for drivers who prefer local backroads over high-speed bypasses. Prepare for a steady, hands-on trip that keeps you connected to the local landscape throughout the entire 171.5-mile duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
1st Street Southwest is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL is easy. At 3h 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Street Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Rockford Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Broadway Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Troy Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Powell Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Saint Andrews Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
1st Street Southwest
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Childersburg, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on 8th Avenue Southwest
59 ft
·
8 sec
·
8th Avenue Southwest
2
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
3
Turn left
11 mi
·
14 min
4
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Rockford Highway
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Rockford Highway
6
Continue on Broadway Avenue
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Broadway Avenue
7
Turn left
7.6 mi
·
11 min
8
Turn left onto Troy Highway
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
9
Continue straight
7.7 mi
·
9 min
10
Continue straight
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
11
Continue straight
2.0 mi
·
3 min
12
Continue straight
7.6 mi
·
10 min
13
Continue straight
38 mi
·
47 min
14
Continue straight
6.2 mi
·
11 min
15
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
16
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
17
Turn left onto East Main Street
112 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 14-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since the route includes only one planned stop, ensure you check your fuel levels before heading out to stay within your $23 budget. Because the roads are turn-heavy and local in nature, it is wise to stay alert at intersections and remain mindful of shifting speed limits as you move through different communities. Use the single stop to stretch your legs and reset, as the lack of long highway stretches can make the drive feel more demanding than a typical interstate trip. Prioritize a daytime departure to navigate the winding local roads with better visibility.
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 85.7 miles from Childersburg, AL, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 miles or 1h 37m 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 39m
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 Childersburg, 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 Childersburg, AL
This is one driving day of about 171.5 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Childersburg, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.7 mi from Childersburg, AL · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 85.7 miles from Childersburg, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$26.22 one way
$52.44 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $28.76 | $57.51 |
| premium | $4.61 | $31.13 | $62.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.10 | $76.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.01 | $8.23 |
| Efficient EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.01 | $10.98 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Dothan, AL
Evening in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
6:13 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
1 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 14m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL covers 171.5 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 1st Street Southwest, Rockford Highway, Broadway Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.7 miles from Childersburg, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.22 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL is easy. At 3h 14m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Childersburg, AL to Dothan, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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