Origin
Jacksonville, AL
Afternoon in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jacksonville, AL to Dothan, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
220.2 mi
354 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jacksonville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 220.2-mile drive from Jacksonville, AL to Dothan, AL is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily be on AL 21 and US 231, with a significant portion on Troy Highway, making for a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, this trip is budget-friendly. The route stays within the Southeast region, connecting two points in Alabama. It's a straightforward journey perfect for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and stops.
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
110.1 miles from Jacksonville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 220.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 99.1 miles on AL 21, offering a consistent pace. As you transition through different sections, including parts of US 231 and Troy Highway, the road character remains largely consistent with its highway profile. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic detours, allowing you to cover ground steadily.
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.
AL 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 21 and US 231. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 115.3 miles in near US 231; AL 21.
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 4h 39m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 115.3 miles (US 231; AL 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.9 miles (US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 219.6 miles (West Powell Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
115.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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
219.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
|
West Powell Street
Turn left onto West Powell Street
Navigation decision point
3
219.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m in
|
North Saint Andrews Street
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
Navigation decision point
3
220.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
US 84 Business; AL 52 / East Main Street
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| AL 21 | 99.1 mi | 1h 56m |
| US 231 | 69.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| McClellan Boulevard | 7 mi | 10m |
| Public Square West | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| Quintard Avenue | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Quintard Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North Saint Andrews Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
AL 21
— 99.1 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jacksonville, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on AL 21
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Public Square West
2
Continue on AL 21
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
McClellan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on AL 21
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Quintard Avenue
4
Continue on AL 21
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Quintard Drive
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on AL 21
392 ft
·
8 sec
·
AL 21
6
Continue on AL 21
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
AL 21
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on AL 21
98 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
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 4-hour, 39-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Jacksonville, AL, is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed arrival in Dothan. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.1-mile stretch on AL 21, as services might be less frequent. This drive is manageable within a single day, so plan your departure to suit your schedule.
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 110.1 miles from Jacksonville, AL, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 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 48 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.1 miles or 2h 16m 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 46m
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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, AL
This is one driving day of about 220.2 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Jacksonville, 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 AL 21 for about 99.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.1 mi from Jacksonville, AL · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.1 miles from Jacksonville, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before AL 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.1 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
$33.26 one way
$66.51 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $36.51 | $73.01 |
| premium | $4.56 | $39.52 | $79.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.62 | $97.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.12 | $10.57 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.27 | $8.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.1 | 1 | $30.83 | $14.09 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Dothan on Thursday
Local time
4:47 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
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 39m 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 Jacksonville, AL to Dothan, AL covers 220.2 miles and takes about 4h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are AL 21, US 231, Troy Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.1 miles from Jacksonville, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.26 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 is a straightforward 4h 39m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.3 miles (US 231; AL 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.9 miles (US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 219.6 miles (West Powell Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Jacksonville, AL to Dothan, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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