Origin
Dothan, AL
Late night in Dothan on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dothan, AL to Auburn, AL
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
118.5 mi
191 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 118.5-mile drive from Dothan, AL, to Auburn, AL, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes. Traveling within the Southeast region of Alabama, you'll primarily follow US 431, with portions on North Eufaula Avenue and AL 169. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $18, making it an economical option. The overall feel is a focused highway drive, suggesting a straightforward path to your destination. With only one recommended stop, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B.
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
59.2 miles from Dothan, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 118.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 61% of your journey taking place on main highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 42.3 miles along US 431. This suggests a significant portion of the drive will involve consistent speed and a focus on covering ground. While the profile indicates a highway drive, the inclusion of other road designations implies you may transition between different types of paved surfaces, though the emphasis remains on efficient travel. The road character is likely to be predictable and direct, prioritizing a smooth ride.
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.
US 431 is the longest continuous segment at about 42.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 431 and North Eufaula Avenue. 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 431 Business / Reeves Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 118.5 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 431 Business / Reeves Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.4 miles (US 80; AL 169): Navigation decision point; at 114.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 431 Business / Reeves Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 431 Business / Reeves Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
93.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
US 80; AL 169
At end of road, turn left onto US 80; AL 169
Navigation decision point
5
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward Auburn, Opelika
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Auburn, Opelika
6
114.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Auburn, Opelika
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Auburn, Opelika
6
115 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
East Glenn Avenue
Turn left onto East Glenn Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 431 | 42.3 mi | 52m |
| North Eufaula Avenue | 32.4 mi | 40m |
| AL 169 | 25.8 mi | 42m |
| Reeves Street | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| I 85 | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| East Glenn Avenue | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| Marvyn Parkway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Oates Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 431
— 42.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan, AL and Auburn, 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 right at fork onto US 431 Business
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Reeves Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 431
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 431
7
Continue on US 431
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 431
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 431; AL 134
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 431; AL 134
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 431
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 431
10
Continue on US 431
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 431
11
Continue on US 431
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 431
12
Continue on US 431
12 mi
·
17 min
·
US 431
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 82; US 431
32 mi
·
40 min
·
North Eufaula Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn left onto AL 169
9.7 mi
·
17 min
·
AL 169
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 80; AL 169
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 80; AL 169
16
Turn right onto AL 169
16 mi
·
25 min
·
AL 169
17
Turn right onto AL 51
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Marvyn Parkway
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
19
Merge onto I 85; US 29; US 280
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 85; US 29; US 280
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Auburn, Opelika
21
Keep slight right at fork
285 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Auburn, Opelika
22
Turn straight onto Bent Creek Road
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Bent Creek Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto East Glenn Avenue
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Glenn Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto North Gay Street
367 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Gay Street
25
Turn left
285 ft
·
20 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this trip offers flexibility, making it a perfect day trip. You can depart Dothan at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee. Plan for a single stop, possibly around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs, to break up the 42.3-mile stretch on US 431. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it's wise to ensure you have at least a half tank before leaving Dothan to avoid unnecessary stops. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between US 431, North Eufaula Avenue, and AL 169 to ensure you stay on the most direct path to Auburn.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from Dothan, AL, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 15m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, 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 118.5 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 US 431 for about 42.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.2 mi from Dothan, AL · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.2 miles from Dothan, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Auburn, AL
The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, 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
$17.90 one way
$35.79 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $19.65 | $39.29 |
| premium | $4.56 | $21.27 | $42.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.44 | $5.69 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.37 | $4.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.59 | $7.58 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Auburn, AL
Late night in Auburn on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
3 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
2h 43m 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 Dothan, AL to Auburn, AL covers 118.5 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 431, North Eufaula Avenue, AL 169. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.2 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 $17.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 118.5 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 431 Business / Reeves Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 93.4 miles (US 80; AL 169): Navigation decision point; at 114.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Dothan, AL to Auburn, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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