Dothan to Livingston is 225.3 miles and takes about 4h 46m via US 231 and US 80, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its profile as mostly highway, expect a straightforward drive. It's a single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it convenient for a quick transit.
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
112.7 miles from Dothan, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
89.1 mi
1h 51m
US 80
46.3 mi
56m
United States Highway 80
34 mi
40m
Highland Avenue
29.1 mi
36m
AL 28
12.2 mi
17m
Montgomery Highway
7.1 mi
11m
South Boulevard
5.5 mi
8m
I 65
0.6 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 89.1 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan, AL and Livingston, AL.
1
Start on US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·North Saint Andrews Street
3
Turn left onto East Burdeshaw Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·East Burdeshaw Street
4
Turn right onto US 231 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·North Oates Street
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231 Business
7.1 mi·11 min·Montgomery Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 231
0.6 mi·39 sec·US 231
7
Continue on US 231
16 mi·20 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 231
21 mi·24 min·US 231
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.4 mi·35 sec·US 231; AL 10
10
Continue on US 231; AL 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.1 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.5 mi·55 sec·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.6 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.7 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
15
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.2 mi·14 sec·US 231; AL 10
16
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.2 mi·1 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
1.8 mi·2 min·US 231; AL 10
18
Continue on US 231
3.4 mi·3 min·US 231
19
Continue on US 231
36 mi·42 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21
5.5 mi·8 min·South Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 65, US 80Use the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 65; US 80
0.6 mi·44 sec·I 65; US 80
23
Take the exit onto US 80
46 mi·56 min·US 80
Exit 167Toward Selma
24
Turn left onto US 80; AL 14; AL 22 Truck
29 mi·36 min·Highland Avenue
25
Turn straight onto US 80
34 mi·40 min·United States Highway 80
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Take the exit onto AL 28
12 mi·17 min·AL 28
27
Arrive at destination
US 11; AL 28
Trip Plan
Since this drive is only about 4 hours and 46 minutes, you can easily complete it in one day. Leaving Dothan in the morning should give you plenty of daylight to reach Livingston. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with when and where you take breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $36, and it's wise to fill up before you hit longer stretches, especially the 89.1-mile segment on 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 112.7 miles from Dothan, AL, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.1 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 50 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 26m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livingston, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dothan, 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 Dothan, AL
This is one driving day of about 225.3 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Dothan, 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 89.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 150 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard
Turn left onto US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
102.8 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 65, US 80
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 65, US 80
5
103.7 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|US 80
Take the exit onto US 80 toward Selma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 167
Toward Selma
4
150 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|US 80; AL 14; AL 22 Truck / Highland Avenue
Turn left onto US 80; AL 14; AL 22 Truck / Highland Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.63 one way
$69.26 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$38.30
$76.60
premium
$4.65
$41.22
$82.44
diesel
$5.35
$47.45
$94.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.81
Efficient EV
56.3
0
$19.71
$9.01
EV Truck/SUV
90.1
1
$31.54
$14.42
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Dothan, AL
Afternoon
in Dothan on Wednesday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Livingston, AL
Afternoon
in Livingston on Wednesday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 46m 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?
You'll be on highways for about 81% of this 225.3-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 89.1 miles, primarily on US 231. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach Livingston. The high percentage of highway driving suggests a consistent cruising speed for most of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.1 mi on US 231.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and US 80. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 225.3 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.3 miles (US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
465 ft90 ft
Total Climb
418 ft
Total Descent
586 ft
Highest Point
465 ft
~48.3 mi in
Elevation Range
375 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dothan, AL to Livingston, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Selma along the way.
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 46m. Total distance: 225.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m 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 89.1 miles on US 231. 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.
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 Livingston, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.3 miles (US 80; US 82; AL 21 / South Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 102.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Livingston, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
