This 213.2-mile drive from Choccolocco to Dothan, Alabama, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 4 hours and 27 minutes. Given its manageable duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route predominantly utilizes highways, making up 81% of the total mileage, and the estimated fuel cost is around $32. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire trip, so expect a consistent regional feel. This highway-focused profile suggests a direct and efficient passage.
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
106.6 miles from Choccolocco, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AL 21
99.1 mi
1h 56m
US 231
69.5 mi
1h 33m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
DeArmanville Road
2.5 mi
4m
I 20
2.2 mi
2m
US 78
2 mi
2m
Old Choccolocco Road
1.6 mi
2m
North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
AL 21
— 99.1 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Choccolocco, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Old Choccolocco Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Old Choccolocco Road
2
Continue on DeArmanville Road
2.5 mi·4 min·DeArmanville Road
3
Turn right onto US 78
2.0 mi·2 min·US 78
4
Continue on US 78
140 ft·9 sec·US 78
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·26 sec
6
Turn left onto US 431
398 ft·7 sec·Leon Smith Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 20 West: BirminghamUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 20
2.2 mi·2 min·I 20
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 185Toward AL 21: Oxford, AnnistonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto AL 21
0.3 mi·37 sec·Quintard Drive
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on AL 21
392 ft·8 sec·AL 21
12
Continue on AL 21
1.3 mi·1 min·AL 21
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on AL 21
98 mi·1 hr 54 min·AL 21
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi·11 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
23
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
24
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 27-minute drive, a morning departure from Choccolocco is recommended to maximize daylight and take advantage of the single recommended stop. With a longest stretch of 99.1 miles on AL 21, plan for a mid-drive break to refuel and stretch your legs, especially considering the $32 estimated fuel cost. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer stretches, and consult your map for the best opportunities to stop and rest along AL 21 or US 231.
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 106.6 miles from Choccolocco, AL, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 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 47 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 35m
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 Choccolocco, 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 Choccolocco, AL
This is one driving day of about 213.2 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Choccolocco, 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 AL 21 for about 99.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Home stretch
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
Inexpensiv
Ozark, AL
Hours: Open 24 hours
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 115.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in|US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway
Turn left onto US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 West: Birmingham
8
8.7 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 185
Toward AL 21: Oxford, Anniston
6
108.3 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
$29.60 one way
$59.19 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$33.11
$66.23
premium
$4.29
$36.00
$72.00
diesel
$4.80
$40.26
$80.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
EV Truck/SUV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.64
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Choccolocco, AL
Late night
in Choccolocco on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:15PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night
in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 5 mph53% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:15PM CDT by NWS Birmingham AL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:13PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
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
22 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 27m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 14.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 213.2-mile trip, with 81% of your journey on these faster roads. The primary roads you'll navigate include AL 21 and US 231, along with sections of Troy Highway. There's a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 99.1 miles on AL 21, meaning you can settle in for a solid period of driving without significant transitions. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes forward momentum, likely offering fewer winding local roads and more consistent speeds.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.1 mi on AL 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on AL 21 and US 231. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 27m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.2 miles (US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
The longest stretch is about 99.1 miles on AL 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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: at 6.2 miles (US 431 / Leon Smith Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Dothan, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
