Cordova to Dothan is 225.6 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 65 and US 231, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip primarily on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day journey. You'll find the route to be consistently highway-focused, so pack some podcasts or audiobooks to keep yourself entertained for the nearly 4.5-hour travel time.
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
112.8 miles from Cordova, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
92.7 mi
1h 43m
US 231
62 mi
1h 22m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
I 22
25.5 mi
27m
I 85
2.7 mi
3m
County Road 20
1.5 mi
2m
McGehee Road
1.4 mi
2m
Zelda Road
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 92.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cordova, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Commerce Street
190 ft·8 sec·Commerce Street
2
Continue on Commerce Street
398 ft·11 sec·Commerce Street
3
Continue on 1st Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·1st Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto Green Avenue
24 ft·6 sec·Green Avenue
5
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·1st Street
6
At end of road, turn right onto CR 20
500 ft·10 sec·Jog Road
7
Continue on CR 20
1.5 mi·2 min·County Road 20
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
9
Merge onto I 22; US 78
26 mi·27 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·38 sec
Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
93 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
393 ft·9 sec
Exit 171Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
14
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft·8 sec·Ann Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
18
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Carter Hill Road
19
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
20
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
23
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
28
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
29
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 34m duration, departing early in the morning from Cordova is recommended to maximize daylight. While there's only one suggested stop on this route, the longest stretch without a major turn is 92.7 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on that 92.7-mile segment on I 65, as services can sometimes be spaced out. The $34 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or price fluctuations.
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 112.8 miles from Cordova, AL, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.7 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 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.8 miles or 2h 6m 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 39m
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 Cordova, 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 Cordova, AL
This is one driving day of about 225.6 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Cordova, 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 I 65 for about 92.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 124.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Green Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Green Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Street
Turn left onto 1st Street
Navigation decision point
7
28.1 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
6
121.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
124.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.07 one way
$68.14 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$37.40
$74.80
premium
$4.56
$40.49
$80.99
diesel
$5.61
$49.81
$99.62
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: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.69
$10.83
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.74
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.58
$14.44
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Cordova, AL
Morning
in Cordova on Sunday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Morning
in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
9:17 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
2 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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 92.7 miles on I 65, offering a consistent pace. The progression involves transitioning from I 65 to US 231, and then onto Troy Highway, which generally maintains a highway feel. Expect mostly efficient travel, with fewer winding local roads and more direct, higher-speed segments throughout the journey.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.7 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 65 and US 231. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Green Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 225.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Green Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 225.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.7 miles on I 65. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Dothan, AL before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 0.2 miles (Green Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 28.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Dothan, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
