This 242.1-mile drive from Riverside to Dothan, Alabama, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-65 and US 231, with a portion of AL 79 mixed in. With 83% of the journey on highways, it's a fairly direct route through Alabama's Southeast region. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, making it an economical option. This is a straightforward drive that won't require an overnight stop, allowing you to reach your destination 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
121 miles from Riverside, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
89 mi
1h 38m
US 231
65 mi
1h 27m
AL 79
38.9 mi
58m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
I 20
3.1 mi
4m
CR 26
3 mi
5m
I 85
2.7 mi
3m
McGehee Road
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 89 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on CR 26
3.0 mi·5 min·CR 26
2
Turn left onto AL 79
4.7 mi·8 min·AL 79
3
Turn left onto US 231
3.0 mi·4 min·US 231
4
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi·31 sec·AL 79
5
Enter roundabout onto AL 79
195 ft·3 sec·AL 79
6
Continue on AL 79
34 mi·49 min·AL 79
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on AL 79
0.3 mi·31 sec·Tallapoosa Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: TuscaloosaUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 20; I 59
3.1 mi·4 min·I 20; I 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 124BToward I 65 South: MontgomeryUse the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 65
89 mi·1 hr 38 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 5-hour 9-minute duration, departing Riverside in the morning will allow you to arrive in Dothan with plenty of daylight. You'll have one recommended stop, but consider breaking up the longest stretch of 89 miles on I-65 with a brief rest. The $37 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Riverside. With a single recommended stop, you have flexibility to pace yourself, but be aware of potential traffic as you approach towns along US 231 and AL 79.
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 121 miles from Riverside, AL, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89 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 53 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121 miles or 2h 33m 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 11m
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 Riverside, 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 Riverside, AL
This is one driving day of about 242.1 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Riverside, 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 89 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 45.3 and 140.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
45.3 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 West, I 59 South: Tuscaloosa
5
45.5 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 20; I 59
Merge onto I 20; I 59
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.6 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 65 South: Montgomery
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 124B
Toward I 65 South: Montgomery
6
137.9 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
$36.56 one way
$73.13 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.21
$40.14
$80.27
premium
$4.56
$43.45
$86.91
diesel
$5.61
$53.45
$106.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.6
0
$25.42
$11.62
Efficient EV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
EV Truck/SUV
96.8
1
$33.89
$15.49
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Riverside, AL
Night
in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Night
in Dothan on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
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
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
5h 9m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 242.1-mile journey, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 89 miles on I-65, offering a good opportunity to make steady progress. While much of the drive will be on faster roads, keep in mind that you'll also encounter stretches of US 231 and AL 79, which may have different speed limits and traffic patterns. This mix means you'll experience both efficient highway cruising and more localized road travel.
83% 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: 89 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 45.3 miles in.
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 242.1 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 45.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5h 9m. Total distance: 242.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89 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 45.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.5 miles (I 20; I 59): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
