Owens Cross Roads to Dothan is 280.6 miles and takes about 6h 5m via US 231 and US 431, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, moving from one part of Alabama to another. Expect a mix of highway driving and surface roads as you make your way south. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal for a straightforward trip when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
140.3 miles from Owens Cross Roads, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
69.5 mi
1h 33m
Broadway Avenue
54.6 mi
1h 2m
US 431
50.8 mi
1h 9m
AL 77
46.1 mi
1h 8m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
Rockford Highway
1.2 mi
1m
North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Owens Cross Roads, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Old Hwy 431
32 ft·2 sec·Old Hwy 431
2
Turn right onto CH 61
0.4 mi·1 min·Wilson Mann Road
3
Turn right onto US 431
51 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 431
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto AL 77
46 mi·1 hr 8 min·AL 77
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi·26 min·Western Bypass
6
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockford Highway
7
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi·11 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
12
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
17
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
18
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 5m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Owens Cross Roads is advisable to ensure you arrive in Dothan with plenty of daylight. While the total distance is manageable for a single day, factor in potential traffic delays, especially around populated areas. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so plan accordingly. Pay attention to the transition between highway and surface roads; the longest stretch on US 231 is 69.5 miles, so be ready for a change in speed and exit frequency after that point.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.3 miles from Owens Cross Roads, AL, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.5 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 62 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.3 miles or 3h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
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 Owens Cross Roads, 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 Owens Cross Roads, AL
This is one driving day of about 280.6 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Owens Cross Roads, 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 69.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 183.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CH 61 / Wilson Mann Road
Turn right onto CH 61 / Wilson Mann Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|US 431
Turn right onto US 431
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
51.2 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|AL 77
Turn right onto AL 77
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
175.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
183.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
$38.95 one way
$77.91 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$43.58
$87.16
premium
$4.29
$47.38
$94.76
diesel
$4.80
$52.98
$105.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.46
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.55
$11.22
EV Truck/SUV
112.2
1
$39.28
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Owens Cross Roads, AL
Late night
in Owens Cross Roads on Sunday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
0 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night
in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph8% 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
3 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
6h 5m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 77.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 59% of this 280.6-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch of continuous highway driving for 69.5 miles on US 231. The profile is mixed highway and surface roads, meaning you'll transition from higher-speed travel to more local roads. Be prepared for a change in traffic patterns and speed limits as you move between these different road types.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.5 mi on US 231.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CH 61 / Wilson Mann Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 5m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 61 / Wilson Mann Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 431): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.2 miles (AL 77): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,069 ft297 ft
Total Climb
873 ft
Total Descent
1,135 ft
Highest Point
1,069 ft
~40.1 mi in
Elevation Range
772 ft
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.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.5 miles on US 231. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 61 / Wilson Mann Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (US 431): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.2 miles (AL 77): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dothan, AL before the return drive.
