Drive Time
6h 13m
Distance
308.6 mi
497 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Photo: Muhammad Nabeel
The drive from Florence, AL to Dothan, AL covers 308.6 miles and takes about 6h 13m 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, University of North Alabama Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.2 miles on I 65. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.18 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
154.3 miles from Florence, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
The drive from Florence, AL to Dothan, AL covers 308.6 miles and takes about 6h 13m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 308.6 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 10.7 miles (AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157 / University of North Alabama Highway toward Moulton, Cullman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Ann Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between Florence, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
Montgomery
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 93.2 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 231 | 62 mi | 1h 22m |
| University of North Alabama Highway | 55.1 mi | 1h 5m |
| Heroes Highway | 43.8 mi | 46m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Wheeler Highway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Woodward Avenue | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| I 85 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, AL and Dothan, AL.
Start on North Pine Street
Turn left onto Crest Street
Turn right onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17
Turn left onto US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Continue on US 43; US 72; AL 13; AL 17; AL 20
Turn left onto US 72 Alternate; AL 20
Keep slight right at fork onto AL 157
Take the exit
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 65
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 85
Take the exit
Turn right onto Ann Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
Continue on Carter Hill Road
Turn left onto McGehee Road
Continue on US 82; US 231
Continue on US 231
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
Continue on US 231
Turn left onto West Powell Street
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.3 miles or 2h 59m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dothan, AL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, AL
This is one driving day of about 308.6 miles and 6h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.3 mi from Florence, AL · 2h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 154.3 miles from Florence, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$47.18 one way
$94.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $51.75 | $103.49 |
| premium | $4.61 | $56.01 | $112.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $68.56 | $137.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108 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 | 92.6 | 1 | $32.40 | $14.81 |
| Efficient EV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.00 | $12.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.4 | 1 | $43.20 | $19.75 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Florence on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
86°F
Columbiana, AL
154 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Florence, AL or browse trips ending in Dothan, AL.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AL road trips.
Explore maps for Florence, AL or Dothan, AL on MapSof.net.
