Origin
Russellville, AL
Late night in Russellville on Thursday
Local time
4:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Russellville, AL to Dothan, AL
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 2m
Distance
302.5 mi
487 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 50m
★
6 AM
6h 3m
8 AM
6h 29m
10 AM
6h 12m
12 PM
6h 9m
3 PM
6h 13m
5 PM
6h 27m
8 PM
5h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russellville, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 302.5-mile drive from Russellville, AL to Dothan, AL is an achievable one-day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. With 61% of the journey on highways, it's a predominantly road-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is approximately $46. This route stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward journey through Alabama. Consider this a solid option if you're looking for a direct drive to cover a significant distance in a single day.
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
151.3 miles from Russellville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 2m. Total distance: 302.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 61% of the 302.5 miles. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major arteries like I-65 and US-231. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93.2 miles on I-65, offering a chance to settle in for a solid period of driving. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Heroes Highway suggests some segments might offer a slightly different pace. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 93.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 302.5 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 103.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
103.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
7
104.2 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 22 West: Memphis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
7
104.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Montgomery
6
198.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
201.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward Ann Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Russellville, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
Fultondale
103.7 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Montgomery
104.8 mi in
|
~2h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 93.2 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 231 | 62 mi | 1h 22m |
| Heroes Highway | 43.8 mi | 46m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| University of North Alabama Highway | 31.7 mi | 38m |
| Alabama Highway 24 | 26.7 mi | 31m |
| I 85 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| McGehee Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 93.2 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russellville, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Jackson Avenue North
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Jackson Avenue North
2
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
3
At end of road, turn left onto AL 24
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Alabama Highway 24
4
Take the exit
219 ft
·
6 sec
5
Merge onto AL 157
32 mi
·
38 min
·
University of North Alabama Highway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I-65 South: Birmingham
7
Merge onto I 65
44 mi
·
46 min
·
Heroes Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 265
Toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 22 West: Memphis
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
93 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
393 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 171
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
14
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ann Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Zelda Road
18
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Carter Hill Road
19
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
McGehee Road
20
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
23
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
28
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
29
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, an early morning departure from Russellville will allow you to reach Dothan with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 93.2 miles, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $46, and ensure you're topped up before embarking on longer highway segments. A good tip is to pre-plan your one designated stop to maximize your time on the road and minimize unnecessary detours.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 151.3 miles from Russellville, AL, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.2 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 67 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.3 miles or 2h 52m 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 48m
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 Russellville, 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 Russellville, AL
This is one driving day of about 302.5 miles and 6h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Russellville, 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 65 for about 93.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.3 mi from Russellville, AL · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.3 miles from Russellville, 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.
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
$45.68 one way
$91.37 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $50.15 | $100.30 |
| premium | $4.56 | $54.30 | $108.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.79 | $133.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.76 | $14.52 |
| Efficient EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.47 | $12.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121 | 1 | $42.35 | $19.36 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night in Dothan on Thursday
Local time
4:42 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
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
6h 2m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Russellville, AL to Dothan, AL covers 302.5 miles and takes about 6h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 65, US 231, Heroes 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 151.3 miles from Russellville, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 302.5 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 103.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Russellville, AL and Dothan, AL, road signs point toward Fultondale and Montgomery.
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