The drive from Dothan, AL to Goodwater, AL covers 155 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 231, State Route 9, Central Plank Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.8 miles on US 231.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
77.5 miles from Dothan, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Dothan is a city in southeastern Alabama, serving as the county seat of Houston County, and the chief city of the western Wiregrass region, an area encompassing portions of southeastern Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the panhandle of Florida. Its population in 2018 was about 68,000, making it the largest metropolitan area in southeastern Alabama.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 155 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 27m highway drive covering 155 miles, with most of the trip on US 231 and State Route 9. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.8 miles on US 231.
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.
US 231 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and State Route 9. 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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 155 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 104.6 miles (US 231; AL 21): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.7 miles (US 231; AL 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
104.6 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 231; AL 21
Take the exit onto US 231; AL 21 toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: Wetumpka
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: Wetumpka
9
104.7 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 231; AL 21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 231; AL 21 toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: Wetumpka
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: Wetumpka
5
104.8 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 231; AL 21 / Wetumpka Highway
Merge onto US 231; AL 21 / Wetumpka Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
155 mi into trip|~3h 27m in|Railroad Place
Turn sharp right onto Railroad Place
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
93.8 mi
1h 57m
State Route 9
20.7 mi
30m
Central Plank Road
14.7 mi
21m
Wetumpka Highway
8.2 mi
9m
Montgomery Highway
7.1 mi
11m
Eastern Boulevard
6 mi
8m
South Main Street
1.8 mi
2m
Old Central Plank Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 93.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan, AL and Goodwater, 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
Turn right onto US 80; US 231; AL 21
6.0 mi·8 min·Eastern Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 231; AL 21
1.1 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 231; AL 21
0.2 mi·18 sec·US 231; AL 21
23
Take the exit onto US 231; AL 21
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 231; AL 21
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: WetumpkaUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 231; AL 21
0.1 mi·15 sec·US 231; AL 21
Toward US 231 North, AL 21 North: WetumpkaUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto US 231; AL 21
8.2 mi·9 min·Wetumpka Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 231; AL 21
0.2 mi·18 sec·US 231; AL 21
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 231; AL 21
2.9 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn slight right onto AL 9
0.5 mi·46 sec·Central Plank Road
29
Continue on AL 9
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Central Plank Road
30
Continue on AL 9
14 mi·21 min·Central Plank Road
31
Continue on AL 9
13 mi·19 min·State Route 9
32
Keep slight left at fork onto AL 9
7.5 mi·11 min·State Route 9
33
Continue on AL 9
1.8 mi·2 min·South Main Street
34
Turn sharp right onto Railroad Place
133 ft·5 sec·Railroad Place
35
Arrive at destination
Railroad Place
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 77.5 miles from Dothan, AL, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.8 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 34 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.5 miles or 1h 42m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goodwater, 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 155 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 231 for about 93.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.5 mi from Dothan, AL
· 1h 42m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.41 one way
$46.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$25.70
$51.39
premium
$4.56
$27.82
$55.64
diesel
$5.61
$34.22
$68.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
39 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Ozark, Alabama
Other
1 DCFC
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Troy, Alabama
Other
1 DCFC
Red E Charging Station
Montgomery, Alabama
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Dothan, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Dothan, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Montgomery, Alabama
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Dothan, Alabama
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Dothan, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Other: 12
ChargePoint: 11
Tesla Destination: 7
Blink: 4
Tesla: 2
Electrify America: 1
InCharge: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
Efficient EV
38.8
0
$13.56
$6.20
EV Truck/SUV
62
0
$21.70
$9.92
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Dothan, AL
Morning
in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
11:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Goodwater, AL
Morning
in Goodwater on Saturday
Local time
11:23 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
3h 27m 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 Goodwater, AL covers 155 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, State Route 9, Central Plank Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.5 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 $23.41 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 155 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 104.6 miles (US 231; AL 21): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.7 miles (US 231; AL 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Dothan, AL to Goodwater, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
