Origin
Irondale, AL
Morning in Irondale on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irondale, AL to Dothan, AL
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
198.1 mi
319 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irondale, AL
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Irondale to Dothan is 198.1 miles and takes about 4 hours 4 minutes via I 65 and US 231, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Alabama, taking you through the Southeast region. It's a straightforward trip, best suited for those who prefer getting to their destination efficiently without many detours. Plan for a single-day journey, as the duration is well within typical driving limits.
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
99 miles from Irondale, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 65 | 78.2 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 231 | 62 mi | 1h 22m |
| Troy Highway | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| John M. Harbert III Freeway | 11.1 mi | 11m |
| I 85 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Grants Mill Road | 2 mi | 4m |
| McGehee Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Zelda Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irondale, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on this road
29 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue South
46 ft
·
4 sec
·
1st Avenue South
3
Turn right onto 20th Street South
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
20th Street South
4
Continue on 22nd Street South
398 ft
·
13 sec
·
22nd Street South
5
Continue on Kilgore Memorial Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Kilgore Memorial Drive
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Grants Mill Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Grants Mill Road
7
Enter roundabout onto Grants Mill Road
95 ft
·
2 sec
·
Grants Mill Road
8
Continue on Grants Mill Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Grants Mill Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
10
Merge onto I 459
11 mi
·
11 min
·
John M. Harbert III Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 15
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 65
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 65
14
Take the exit
393 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 171
Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
16
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 3
Toward Ann Street
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft
·
8 sec
·
Ann Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Zelda Road
20
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Carter Hill Road
21
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
McGehee Road
22
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi
·
41 min
·
Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
US 231
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
US 231; AL 10
25
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi
·
47 min
·
US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
US 231
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Powell Street
30
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Saint Andrews Street
31
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
With a drive of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily achievable in one day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unexpected delays and to arrive in Dothan with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major town is 78.2 miles on I 65, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition to 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 99 miles from Irondale, AL, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99 miles or 1h 55m 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 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 Irondale, 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 Irondale, AL
This is one driving day of about 198.1 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Irondale, 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 78.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 99 miles from Irondale, AL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 65 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 96.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway
Merge onto I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
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 15
Toward I 65: Birmingham, Montgomery
7
14.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
6
93.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
96.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
$29.92 one way
$59.84 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $32.84 | $65.68 |
| premium | $4.56 | $35.56 | $71.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.74 | $87.48 |
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: 69.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.4 | 0 | $20.80 | $9.51 |
| Efficient EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.33 | $7.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.73 | $12.68 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Dothan, AL
Morning in Dothan on Tuesday
Local time
8:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
4 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 4m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 78% of the journey on interstates and major roads like I 65 and US 231. You'll experience a longest stretch of 78.2 miles on I 65, offering a consistent pace. The profile is best described as highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained, faster roads. Expect a relatively predictable driving experience as you transition from I 65 to US 231, making it a smooth ride overall.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.2 mi on I 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 3.5 miles in near I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 198.1 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 3.5 miles (I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Irondale, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Montgomery along the way.
Montgomery
14.6 mi in
|
~19m
About the Cities
Arriving in Dothan, AL
Full guide →Founded 1885
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.
Top landmarks
- • Dothan Opera House
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 198.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.2 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 3.5 miles (I 459 / John M. Harbert III Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Dothan, AL, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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