Trip from Dothan, AL to Ardmore, AL

Drive Time

5h 54m

Distance

300.5 mi

484 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 41m ★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Ardmore, AL, AL

Ardmore, AL

Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga

Trip Overview

The drive from Dothan, AL to Ardmore, AL covers 300.5 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 65, US 231, Montgomery Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 193.1 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.94 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

150.2 miles from Dothan, AL

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 54m highway drive covering 300.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 65 and US 231. The longest continuous stretch is about 193.1 miles on I 65.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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 193.1 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

679 ft 234 ft

Total Climb

664 ft

Total Descent

306 ft

Highest Point

679 ft

~125.2 mi in

Elevation Range

445 ft

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 1 miles in near US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 300.5 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 1 miles (US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 101.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
101.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Turn left toward Ann Street South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Exit 3 Toward Ann Street South
5
101.3 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | I 85

Merge onto I 85

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
297.6 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 53: Ardmore

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 365 Toward 53: Ardmore
6
300.4 mi into trip | ~5h 54m in | TN 7 / Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto TN 7 / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Dothan, AL to Ardmore, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.

Ann Street South

101.1 mi in | ~2h 13m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 65 193.1 mi 3h 30m
US 231 89.1 mi 1h 51m
Montgomery Highway 7.1 mi 11m
I 85 2.5 mi 3m
7th Street 2 mi 3m
McGehee Road 1.5 mi 2m
Zelda Road 1.1 mi 2m
Carter Hill Road 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 65 — 193.1 mi, about 3h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dothan, AL and Ardmore, AL.

1

Start on US 84 Business; AL 52

111 ft · 5 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street

0.3 mi · 53 sec · North Saint Andrews Street
3

Turn left onto East Burdeshaw Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · East Burdeshaw Street
4

Turn right onto US 231 Business

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Oates Street
5

Keep slight left at fork onto US 231 Business

7.1 mi · 11 min · Montgomery Highway
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on US 231

0.6 mi · 39 sec · US 231
7

Continue on US 231

16 mi · 20 min · US 231
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on US 231

21 mi · 24 min · US 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.4 mi · 35 sec · US 231; AL 10
10

Continue on US 231; AL 10

5.1 mi · 6 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
11

Continue on US 231; AL 10

2.1 mi · 3 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
12

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.5 mi · 55 sec · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
15

Continue on US 231; AL 10

0.2 mi · 14 sec · US 231; AL 10
16

Continue on US 231; AL 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 231; AL 10

1.8 mi · 2 min · US 231; AL 10
18

Continue on US 231

3.4 mi · 3 min · US 231
19

Continue on US 231

36 mi · 42 min · US 231
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on McGehee Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
21

Turn right onto Carter Hill Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · Carter Hill Road
22

Continue on Zelda Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
23

Turn right onto Ann Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Ann Street
24

Turn left

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 3 Toward Ann Street South Use the left lane.
25

Merge onto I 85

2.5 mi · 3 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
27

Merge onto I 65; US 82

193 mi · 3 hr 30 min · I 65; US 82
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 365 Toward 53: Ardmore
29

Keep slight right at fork

153 ft · 2 sec
Exit 365 Toward 53: Ardmore
30

Turn slight right onto AL 53

2.0 mi · 3 min · 7th Street
31

Turn left onto AL 53

427 ft · 8 sec · 1st Avenue West
32

Turn right onto AL 53

0.3 mi · 34 sec · 6th Street
33

Turn left onto AL 53

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ardmore Avenue
34

At end of road, turn left onto TN 7

137 ft · 4 sec · Main Street
Use the left lane.
35

Arrive at destination

TN 7

Trip Plan

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 150.2 miles from Dothan, AL, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 193.1 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 150.2 miles or 3h 7m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ardmore, AL than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Dothan, 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 Dothan, AL

This is one driving day of about 300.5 miles and 5h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dothan, 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 193.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 150.2 mi from Dothan, AL · 3h 7m into the drive

Downtown Columbiana, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbiana, AL

150 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

Clio, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbiana, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.2 miles from Dothan, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 193.1 miles.

Arriving in Ardmore, AL

The final approach into Ardmore, 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 Ardmore, AL.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.94 one way

$91.88 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.26 $50.39 $100.77
premium $4.61 $54.54 $109.08
diesel $5.64 $66.76 $133.52

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 90.1 1 $31.55 $14.42
Efficient EV 75.1 0 $26.29 $12.02
EV Truck/SUV 120.2 1 $42.07 $19.23

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Dothan, AL

Afternoon in Dothan on Sunday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ardmore, AL

Afternoon in Ardmore on Sunday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 3:14AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 11 at 10:01PM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL

Along the Route

86°F

Columbiana, AL

150 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

4 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 54m 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 Dothan, AL to Ardmore, AL covers 300.5 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, US 231, Montgomery Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 150.2 miles from Dothan, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.94 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 16 significant decision points across 300.5 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 1 miles (US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 101.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Dothan, AL to Ardmore, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 234 ft to 679 ft elevation with about 664 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Ardmore, AL to Dothan, AL

Plan the drive back the other way.

300.6 mi 5h 54m

Explore more options from Dothan, AL or browse trips ending in Ardmore, AL.

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