Origin
Attalla, AL
Night in Attalla on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Attalla, AL to Dothan, AL
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
227.6 mi
366 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Attalla, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Trip Overview
Attalla to Dothan is 227.6 miles and takes about 4h 52m via US 231, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within Alabama, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with more local road navigation. Given the manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a straightforward drive connecting two points in the state.
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
113.8 miles from Attalla, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
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 |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Western Bypass | 22.7 mi | 26m |
| I 59 | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Rockford Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue Northwest | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Attalla, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on US 11; US 278; US 431
95 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Street Northwest
2
Turn right onto US 278; US 431
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Birmingham
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 59
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 59
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
6
Turn right onto AL 77
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on AL 77
41 mi
·
59 min
·
West Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Western Bypass
9
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Rockford Highway
10
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
15
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
20
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
21
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Attalla to maximize daylight and take advantage of lighter traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $34, you can plan your stops strategically, perhaps for a quick break or a meal along US 231. The longest stretch without a town is 69.5 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, being aware of the mixed drive profile means anticipating potential slowdowns when passing through towns on roads like Broadway Avenue.
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 113.8 miles from Attalla, AL, or about 2h 25m 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 50 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.8 miles or 2h 25m 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 57m
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 Attalla, 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 Attalla, AL
This is one driving day of about 227.6 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Attalla, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.8 miles from Attalla, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 130.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest
Turn right onto US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Birmingham
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m 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
122.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
130.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Turn left onto US 82; US 231 / Troy Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.37 one way
$68.75 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $37.73 | $75.47 |
| premium | $4.56 | $40.85 | $81.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.25 | $100.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.90 | $10.92 |
| Efficient EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.92 | $9.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91 | 1 | $31.86 | $14.57 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Night in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
11:33 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
32 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 52m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Freedom Riders National Monument
National Monument
In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 23.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with about 31% of it being highway driving. You'll encounter stretches like the longest, uninterrupted 69.5 miles on US 231, which provides a consistent pace. The road will likely transition between faster-paced highway sections and more varied local roads as you move through different towns and communities. Navigating through towns on Broadway Avenue and West Grand Avenue will offer a different feel than the open highway, requiring more attention to speed limits and traffic. Prepare for a drive that keeps you engaged with its changing character.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.5 mi on US 231.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 52m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Dothan, AL
Full guide →Dothan is a city in southeastern Alabama, serving as the county seat of Houston County, and the chief city of the western Wiregrass region, an area encompassing portions of southeastern Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the panhandle of Florida. Its population in 2018 was about 68,000, making it the largest metropolitan area in southeastern Alabama.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 227.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.5 miles on US 231. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 278; US 431 / 5th Avenue Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Dothan, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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