Dothan to Montevallo is 169 miles and takes about 3h 32m via US 231 and I-65, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Alabama, connecting the Southeast region of Dothan to the Southeast region of Montevallo. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward and relatively quick trip. With only one suggested stop and a short duration, it’s ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.5 miles from Dothan, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
89.1 mi
1h 51m
I 65
56.6 mi
1h 1m
Montgomery Highway
7.1 mi
11m
AL 25
7 mi
10m
I 85
2.5 mi
3m
McGehee Road
1.5 mi
2m
Zelda Road
1.1 mi
2m
Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 89.1 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,278 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~358 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan, AL and Montevallo, 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
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Carter Hill Road
22
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
23
Turn right onto Ann Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Ann Street
24
Turn left
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann Street SouthUse the left lane.
25
Merge onto I 85
2.5 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
27
Merge onto I 65; US 82
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 65; US 82
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera
29
Turn left onto AL 25
0.9 mi·1 min·AL 25
30
Turn left onto US 31; AL 25
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 31; AL 25
31
Turn right onto AL 25
6.2 mi·9 min·AL 25
32
Turn right onto AL 155
0.6 mi·1 min·Middle Street
33
Turn left onto Valley Street
188 ft·8 sec·Valley Street
34
Arrive at destination
Valley Street
Trip Plan
For this 169-mile trip, leaving Dothan in the morning allows ample time to reach Montevallo comfortably within the 3h 32m estimated driving time. Given the short duration and high highway percentage, you can easily complete this in one day. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 89.1-mile stretch on US 231, as services might be more spread out than on interstates. The fuel cost estimate is around $27, so budget accordingly.
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 84.5 miles from Dothan, AL, or about 1h 50m 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 37 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montevallo, 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 169 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 160.8 — 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.
8
101.1 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Turn left toward Ann Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street South
5
101.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
103.9 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-65 North: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I-65 North: Birmingham
5
160.8 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AL 25: Montevallo, Calera
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.98 one way
$51.95 round trip
$3.90/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$28.73
$57.46
premium
$4.65
$30.92
$61.84
diesel
$5.35
$35.60
$71.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.11
Efficient EV
42.3
0
$14.79
$6.76
EV Truck/SUV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.82
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Dothan, AL
Afternoon
in Dothan on Wednesday
Local time
4:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 5 mph74% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville AL
Destination
Montevallo, AL
Afternoon
in Montevallo on Wednesday
Local time
4:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Huntsville 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument
National Monument
In 1963, images of snarling police dogs unleashed against non-violent protesters and of children being sprayed with high-pressure hoses appeared in print and television news around the world. These dr...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 169
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 92% of this 169-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 89.1 miles on US 231. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with the transition to more local roads likely occurring closer to your destination in Montevallo. The high highway share means you'll encounter relatively fewer exits and slower-speed zones until the final leg.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 231 and I 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway.
Driving Effort7/10
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 169 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 1 miles (US 231 Business / Montgomery Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 101.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
638 ft150 ft
Total Climb
852 ft
Total Descent
771 ft
Highest Point
638 ft
~144.8 mi in
Elevation Range
489 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 Montevallo, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Street South along the way.
Ann Street South
101.1 mi in|~2h 13m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 3h 32m. Total distance: 169 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). 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 5 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 Montevallo, 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 5 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 101.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 101.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Montevallo, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
