Origin
Goodwater, AL
Afternoon in Goodwater on Saturday
Local time
1:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Goodwater, 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
3h 28m
Distance
155.2 mi
250 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Goodwater, AL to Dothan, AL is 155.2 miles and takes about 3h 28m via US 231 and State Route 9, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting two points in the Southeast region. It's a straightforward, single-day journey that primarily follows highway routes, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient drive. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, so you can expect a consistent pace for most of the 155.2 miles. Plan for a drive that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B smoothly.
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
77.6 miles from Goodwater, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 231 | 81.1 mi | 1h 47m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| State Route 9 | 20.7 mi | 30m |
| Central Plank Road | 14.6 mi | 21m |
| North Main Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Old Central Plank Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North Saint Andrews Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Powell Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 81.1 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goodwater, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Railroad Place
133 ft
·
15 sec
·
Railroad Place
2
Turn sharp left onto AL 9
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
3
Continue on AL 9
21 mi
·
30 min
·
State Route 9
4
Continue on AL 9
14 mi
·
21 min
·
Central Plank Road
5
Continue on AL 9
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Central Plank Road
6
Continue on AL 9
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Central Plank Road
7
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 231; AL 21
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
17
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
18
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours and 28 minutes, this is definitely a one-day trip. To make the most of your drive, consider departing in the morning to allow for a leisurely pace and potential brief stops. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 81.1 miles on US 231, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before or after this segment if needed. With a fuel cost estimated around $23, you won't need to worry too much about budgeting for gas, but it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially when covering longer distances on a single highway.
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 77.6 miles from Goodwater, AL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.1 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 34 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 miles or 1h 46m 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 49m
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 Goodwater, 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 Goodwater, AL
This is one driving day of about 155.2 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Goodwater, 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 81.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Goodwater, 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 81.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 154.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 9 / North Main Street
Turn sharp left onto AL 9 / North Main Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
4
38.7 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
50.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
57.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
3
154.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
|
West Powell Street
Turn left onto West Powell Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.44 one way
$46.88 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $25.73 | $51.46 |
| premium | $4.56 | $27.86 | $55.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.27 | $68.53 |
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: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.58 | $6.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
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.
Destination
Dothan, AL
Afternoon in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
1:43 PM
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
3 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
3h 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-focused, with about 66% of the drive utilizing highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 81.1-mile segment on US 231, which offers a more continuous driving experience. The roads you'll be on, including US 231, Troy Highway, and State Route 9, generally provide a steady pace. While not a technical or winding route, it’s a practical path designed for efficient travel through the Alabama landscape. Expect a driving experience that is more about covering ground than navigating complex turns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 81.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and Troy Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AL 9 / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 28m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AL 9 / North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.7 miles (US 231; AL 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (US 231; AL 21): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Dothan, AL
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 155.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Goodwater, AL to Dothan, AL covers 155.2 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, Troy Highway, State Route 9. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.6 miles from Goodwater, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.44 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 straightforward 3h 28m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AL 9 / North Main Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 38.7 miles (US 231; AL 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.3 miles (US 231; AL 21): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Goodwater, AL to Dothan, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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