Origin
Orange Beach, AL
Evening in Orange Beach on Sunday
Local time
6:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Orange Beach, AL to Dothan, AL
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
178.7 mi
288 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Orange Beach, AL to Dothan, AL covers 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 10, US 231, Glenwood Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.3 miles on I 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.32 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
89.4 miles from Orange Beach, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 47m highway drive covering 178.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 10 and US 231. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.3 miles on I 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 106.3 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
321 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
540 ft
Total Descent
230 ft
Highest Point
321 ft
~178.7 mi in
Elevation Range
310 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Canal Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 178.7 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 0.1 miles (Canal Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Canal Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.1 miles (FL 292 / Perdido Key Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Canal Road
At end of road, turn right onto Canal Road
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Canal Road
Enter roundabout onto Canal Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
12.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
FL 292 / Perdido Key Drive
Enter roundabout onto FL 292 / Perdido Key Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
23.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
FL 298 / Lillian Highway
Turn right onto FL 298 / Lillian Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
9
34.2 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Hi...
Towns Along This Route
Between Orange Beach, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Davis Highway and Panama City.
Davis Highway
34.2 mi in
|
~57m
Panama City
141.5 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 106.3 mi | 1h 54m |
| US 231 | 17.4 mi | 21m |
| Glenwood Avenue | 14.5 mi | 20m |
| Perdido Key Drive | 7 mi | 11m |
| West Fairfield Drive | 6.6 mi | 12m |
| Sorrento Road | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Perdido Beach Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 106.3 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange Beach, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Bay Circle
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
·
Bay Circle
2
At end of road, turn right onto Canal Road
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Canal Road
3
Enter roundabout onto Canal Road
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
Canal Road
4
Continue on Canal Road
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Canal Road
5
Turn left onto AL 161
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Orange Beach Boulevard
6
Continue on AL 161
102 ft
·
4 sec
·
Orange Beach Boulevard
7
Turn slight left onto AL 182
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Perdido Beach Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on FL 292
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Perdido Key Drive
9
Enter roundabout onto FL 292
82 ft
·
1 sec
·
Perdido Key Drive
10
Continue on FL 292
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Perdido Key Drive
11
Continue on FL 292
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Sorrento Road
12
Turn left onto FL 173
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South Blue Angel Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on FL 173
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Blue Angel Parkway
14
Turn right onto FL 298
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lillian Highway
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto FL 727
5.7 mi
·
11 min
·
West Fairfield Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto FL 295
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Fairfield Drive
17
Turn right onto FL 291
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Davis Highway
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 110 North
19
Merge onto I 110
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 6
Toward I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Tallahassee
22
Merge onto I 10
106 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward FL 77: Chipley, Panama City
24
Turn left onto FL 77
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Main Street
25
Turn right onto FL 273
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Glenwood Avenue
26
At end of road, turn left onto US 231
400 ft
·
7 sec
·
US 231
27
Continue on US 231
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 231
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 231
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn slight right onto South Saint Andrews Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Saint Andrews Street
30
Turn right onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
31
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 89.4 miles from Orange Beach, AL, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.3 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 56m 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 2m
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 Orange Beach, 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 Orange Beach, AL
This is one driving day of about 178.7 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Orange Beach, 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 I 10 for about 106.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.4 mi from Orange Beach, AL · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Orange Beach, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.32 one way
$54.64 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.26 | $29.96 | $59.93 |
| premium | $4.61 | $32.43 | $64.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.70 | $79.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.02 | $11.44 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Evening in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
6:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°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
11 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 47m 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 Orange Beach, AL to Dothan, AL covers 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, US 231, Glenwood Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.4 miles from Orange Beach, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.32 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 18 significant decision points across 178.7 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 0.1 miles (Canal Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Canal Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.1 miles (FL 292 / Perdido Key Drive): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Between Orange Beach, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Davis Highway and Panama City.
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