Spanning 248.8 miles across Alabama, this trip from Centre to Dothan typically takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay, making this an efficient travel option. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Throughout the route, you will navigate via US 231, Broadway Avenue, and East Grand Avenue. The trek keeps you within the Southeast region, transitioning you from the northern reaches of the state down toward the Wiregrass area. It is a straightforward, practical route that serves as a reliable link between these two Alabama communities.
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
124.4 miles from Centre, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
69.5 mi
1h 33m
Broadway Avenue
54.6 mi
1h 2m
East Grand Avenue
37 mi
52m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
US 411
19.9 mi
22m
Rainbow Drive
4 mi
6m
North Albert Rains Boulevard
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centre, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on AL 283
314 ft·5 sec·Cedar Bluff Road
2
Turn slight left
109 ft·6 sec
3
Turn left onto AL 283
408 ft·10 sec·North River Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 411 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on US 411; AL 68
20 mi·22 min·US 411; AL 68
6
Continue on Ewing Avenue
0.4 mi·27 sec·Ewing Avenue
7
Continue on US 411
2.3 mi·3 min·North Albert Rains Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 411
4.0 mi·6 min·Rainbow Drive
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto AL 77
37 mi·52 min·East Grand Avenue
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
Since this is a five-hour trek, plan to leave early in the morning to avoid hitting peak traffic during the later portions of your journey. You only have one planned stop on this itinerary, so pace yourself to ensure you stay alert behind the wheel. Given the $38 fuel estimate, it is wise to top off your tank before departing Centre to avoid unnecessary mid-trip detours. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition off US 231 and onto Broadway Avenue and East Grand Avenue, as speed limits often decrease when entering town centers. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your departure time based on your personal comfort, but staying consistent with your planned stop will keep your arrival time predictable.
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 124.4 miles from Centre, AL, or about 2h 36m 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 55 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 36m 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 15m
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 Centre, 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 Centre, AL
This is one driving day of about 248.8 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Centre, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 151.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|AL 283 / North River Street
Turn left onto AL 283 / North River Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 411 Business / West Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 411 Business / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
28.5 mi into trip|~35m in|AL 77 / East Grand Avenue
Turn left onto AL 77 / East Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
143.9 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
151.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
$37.57 one way
$75.15 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$41.25
$82.50
premium
$4.56
$44.66
$89.31
diesel
$5.61
$54.93
$109.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
EV Truck/SUV
99.5
1
$34.83
$15.92
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Centre, AL
Late night
in Centre on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night
in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
2:55 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
37 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 15m 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 51.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between various road types along the way. With a highway share of 36%, you won't be confined to a monotonous interstate grind for the entire duration. The route features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 69.5 miles on US 231, providing a consistent rhythm before the road character shifts. You will encounter a blend of faster highway segments and local town passages that keep the drive engaging. Navigating these transitions requires a bit of focus, but the mix prevents the trip from feeling stagnant while you make your way south.
36% 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 0.1 miles in near AL 283 / North River Street.
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 15m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (AL 283 / North River Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 411 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.5 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): 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 0.1 miles (AL 283 / North River Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 411 Business / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.5 miles (AL 77 / East Grand Avenue): 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
