This 170.8-mile journey from Wilsonville, AL to Dothan, AL is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 38 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated around $26. Primarily utilizing US 231 and I 65, with a segment of Troy Highway, this route offers a direct path through Alabama's Southeast region. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip, allowing for flexibility without needing an overnight stop. The drive is efficient, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B.
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
85.4 miles from Wilsonville, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 170.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 62 miles on US 231, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the trip involves interstate and major highways, you can expect some transitions as you navigate through different road types. The overall feel is one of steady progress, with the road primarily serving as a conduit between your origin and destination rather than a destination in itself. This route emphasizes efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and I 65. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 66.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 170.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 66.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I-85 North: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 171
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
6
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
4
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|Ann Street
Turn right onto Ann Street
Navigation decision point
4
69.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in|Zelda Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
62 mi
1h 22m
I 65
40.2 mi
43m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
AL 145
23.4 mi
32m
I 85
2.7 mi
3m
South Main Street
2.7 mi
3m
McGehee Road
1.4 mi
2m
Zelda Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 62 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilsonville, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on AL 25
79 ft·7 sec·AL 25
2
Turn left onto CR 61
2.7 mi·3 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on AL 145
23 mi·32 min·AL 145
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
5
Merge onto I 65
40 mi·43 min·I 65
6
Take the exit
393 ft·9 sec
Exit 171Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
8
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann StreetUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft·8 sec·Ann Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
12
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Carter Hill Road
13
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
14
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
22
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
23
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 38-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Dothan without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps midway through the 170.8-mile distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 62-mile stretch on US 231, as services might be more spaced out. Since this is a day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you. Consider a brief stop in a town along US 231 to stretch your legs and grab a quick refreshment before completing the final leg of your journey.
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 85.4 miles from Wilsonville, AL, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.4 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 55m
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 Wilsonville, 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 Wilsonville, AL
This is one driving day of about 170.8 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Wilsonville, 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 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.4 mi from Wilsonville, AL
· 1h 46m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.79 one way
$51.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$28.32
$56.63
premium
$4.56
$30.66
$61.31
diesel
$5.61
$37.71
$75.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.93
$8.20
Efficient EV
42.7
0
$14.95
$6.83
EV Truck/SUV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Wilsonville, AL
Morning
in Wilsonville on Saturday
Local time
8:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Morning
in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
8:28 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
1 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 38m 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 Wilsonville, AL to Dothan, AL covers 170.8 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 231, I 65, 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 85.4 miles from Wilsonville, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.79 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 170.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 66.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wilsonville, AL to Dothan, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
