Origin
Gadsden, AL
Morning in Gadsden on Saturday
Local time
8:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gadsden, AL to Dothan, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
225.5 mi
363 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gadsden, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Gadsden, AL to Dothan, AL covers 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 231, Broadway Avenue, East Grand Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69.5 miles on US 231. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.06 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
112.8 miles from Gadsden, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 225.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Gadsden, AL to Dothan, AL covers 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 69.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
562 ft
195 ft
Total Climb
460 ft
Total Descent
690 ft
Highest Point
562 ft
~64.4 mi in
Elevation Range
367 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broad Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 225.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Rainbow Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Broad Street
Turn right onto Broad Street
Navigation decision point
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Rainbow Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto Rainbow Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
AL 77 / East Grand Avenue
Turn left onto AL 77 / East Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
120.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
128.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 231 | 69.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| Broadway Avenue | 54.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| East Grand Avenue | 37 mi | 52m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Western Bypass | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| Rainbow Drive | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Rockford Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| South 3rd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gadsden, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on South 6th Street
16 ft
·
4 sec
·
South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Broad Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
Broad Street
3
Turn right onto South 3rd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 3rd Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto Rainbow Drive
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Rainbow Drive
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto AL 77
37 mi
·
52 min
·
East Grand Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Western Bypass
7
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockford Highway
8
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
18
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
19
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
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 112.8 miles from Gadsden, AL, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.5 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 50 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.8 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
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 Gadsden, 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 Gadsden, AL
This is one driving day of about 225.5 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Gadsden, 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 69.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.8 mi from Gadsden, AL · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.8 miles from Gadsden, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 231 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.5 miles.
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
$34.06 one way
$68.11 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $37.39 | $74.77 |
| premium | $4.56 | $40.47 | $80.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.79 | $99.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.68 | $10.82 |
| Efficient EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.73 | $9.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.57 | $14.43 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
8:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°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
2 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
4h 48m 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 Gadsden, AL to Dothan, AL covers 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, Broadway Avenue, East Grand Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.8 miles from Gadsden, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.06 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 225.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Rainbow Drive): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gadsden, AL to Dothan, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 195 ft to 562 ft elevation with about 460 ft of total climbing.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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