Embark on a journey from Ballplay to Dothan, Alabama, covering 237.1 miles in approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. This single-day trip is easily manageable, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive primarily utilizes US 231, Broadway Avenue, and Troy Highway, with 43% of the route on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $36 for this trip. The mixed drive profile offers a varied experience as you travel through the Southeast region of Alabama. This route is a straightforward option for a day trip, making it a practical choice for efficient travel.
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
118.5 miles from Ballplay, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
69.5 mi
1h 33m
Broadway Avenue
54.6 mi
1h 2m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
AL 77
31.5 mi
43m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
Green Valley Road
8.3 mi
14m
Herman Nelson Highway
3.9 mi
5m
Centre Road
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ballplay, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Centre Road
3.3 mi·5 min·Centre Road
2
Continue on County Highway 71
0.2 mi·20 sec·County Highway 71
3
Continue on Main Street
2.2 mi·4 min·Main Street
4
Turn left onto CH 65
0.9 mi·1 min·Alford Bend Road
5
Turn right onto US 278
3.9 mi·5 min·Herman Nelson Highway
6
Turn left onto Lonesome Bend Road
2.6 mi·6 min·Lonesome Bend Road
7
Turn left onto US 431
0.9 mi·1 min·Chastain Boulevard East
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto Green Valley Road
8.3 mi·14 min·Green Valley Road
9
Turn left onto AL 77
31 mi·43 min·AL 77
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi·26 min·Western Bypass
11
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockford Highway
12
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi·11 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto 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 5-hour, 10-minute drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the journey and any brief stops you might need. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Ballplay. Keep an eye on US 231 as it represents your longest stretch of continuous driving at 69.5 miles; this is a good point to assess your need for a break. This route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, so plan for a straightforward trip.
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 118.5 miles from Ballplay, AL, or about 2h 37m 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 52 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.5 miles or 2h 37m 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 12m
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 Ballplay, 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 Ballplay, AL
This is one driving day of about 237.1 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Ballplay, 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.
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 135.5
Montgomery, Alabama
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 139.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
10.5 mi into trip|~17m in|Lonesome Bend Road
Turn left onto Lonesome Bend Road
Navigation decision point
4
13.2 mi into trip|~23m in|US 431 / Chastain Boulevard East
Turn left onto US 431 / Chastain Boulevard East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~39m in|AL 77
Turn left onto AL 77
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
132.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
139.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
$35.81 one way
$71.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$39.31
$78.62
premium
$4.56
$42.56
$85.11
diesel
$5.61
$52.35
$104.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.1
0
$24.90
$11.38
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.75
$9.48
EV Truck/SUV
94.8
1
$33.19
$15.17
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Ballplay, AL
Night
in Ballplay on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Night
in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
11:34 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
27 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
5h 10m 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 32.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving experience, balancing highway speeds with more local road travel. With 43% of the drive on highways, you'll encounter stretches where you can make good time. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 69.5 miles on US 231, providing a solid period of consistent driving. As you progress, the character of the road will shift, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more varied routes through communities. Be prepared for this blend of driving environments as you make your way to Dothan.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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 around 10.5 miles in near Lonesome Bend Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (Lonesome Bend Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (US 431 / Chastain Boulevard East): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (AL 77): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (Lonesome Bend Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (US 431 / Chastain Boulevard East): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (AL 77): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dothan, AL before the return drive.
