Origin
Scottsboro, AL
Late night in Scottsboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 5m
Distance
289.3 mi
466 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 53m
★
6 AM
6h 6m
8 AM
6h 32m
10 AM
6h 15m
12 PM
6h 12m
3 PM
6h 16m
5 PM
6h 30m
8 PM
5h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsboro, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
This 289.3-mile journey from Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 5 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, it's an economical way to cover ground within the Southeast region. The drive primarily utilizes US 231, along with Broadway Avenue and West Grand Avenue, offering a mixed driving experience. Given its duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility with your schedule. It's a straightforward drive that connects two points within Alabama without significant logistical hurdles.
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
144.6 miles from Scottsboro, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 37% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 69.5 miles, primarily on US 231. This suggests a blend of faster-paced highway driving interspersed with sections that might be more local or town-oriented. The road character will likely evolve as you progress through Alabama, shifting from potentially more open highway to areas with increased local traffic. The overall feel is less of a monotonous interstate cruise and more of a varied traversal.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 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.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Broad Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 5m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 13 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AL 35 / East Willow Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Broad Street
Turn left onto South Broad Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AL 35 / East Willow Street
Turn right onto AL 35 / East Willow Street
Navigation decision point
6
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
6
184.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
192 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
Rainbow City
64.3 mi in
|
~1h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 231 | 69.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| Broadway Avenue | 54.6 mi | 1h 2m |
| West Grand Avenue | 40.9 mi | 59m |
| I 59 | 37.1 mi | 39m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Western Bypass | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| Veterans Drive | 13.5 mi | 18m |
| West Main Street | 8.9 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsboro, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on this road
98 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South Broad Street
408 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Broad Street
3
Turn right onto AL 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Willow Street
4
Turn right onto AL 35; AL 279
299 ft
·
8 sec
·
Bynum Street
5
Continue on AL 35; AL 279
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Veterans Drive
6
Continue on AL 35
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on AL 35
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Love Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
9
Merge onto I 59
37 mi
·
39 min
·
I 59
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
11
Turn right onto AL 77
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on AL 77
41 mi
·
59 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Western Bypass
14
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockford Highway
15
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
25
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
26
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 289.3-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Scottsboro to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one suggested stop, you have ample flexibility to break up the journey as needed, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 69.5-mile stretch on US 231, and plan your refueling accordingly. The estimated fuel cost of $44 should help you budget for this. A single-day completion is definitely feasible, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than planning an overnight stay.
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 144.6 miles from Scottsboro, AL, or about 3h 3m 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.6 miles or 3h 3m 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 56m
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 Scottsboro, 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 Scottsboro, AL
This is one driving day of about 289.3 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Scottsboro, 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 144.6 mi from Scottsboro, AL · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 144.6 miles from Scottsboro, 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
$43.69 one way
$87.38 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $47.96 | $95.92 |
| premium | $4.56 | $51.93 | $103.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.87 | $127.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.38 | $13.89 |
| Efficient EV | 72.3 | 0 | $25.31 | $11.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.7 | 1 | $40.50 | $18.52 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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 Wednesday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear then Patchy Fog
SW 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
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
18 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 5m 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 Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL covers 289.3 miles and takes about 6h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, Broadway Avenue, West Grand Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.6 miles from Scottsboro, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.69 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 5m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 13 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AL 35 / East Willow Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
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