This 289.3-mile journey from Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 5 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $44, it's an economical way to cover ground within the Southeast region. The drive primarily utilizes US 231, along with Broadway Avenue and West Grand Avenue, offering a mixed driving experience. Given its duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility with your schedule. It's a straightforward drive that connects two points within Alabama without significant logistical hurdles.
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
144.6 miles from Scottsboro, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 231
69.5 mi
1h 33m
Broadway Avenue
54.6 mi
1h 2m
West Grand Avenue
40.9 mi
59m
I 59
37.1 mi
39m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
Veterans Drive
13.5 mi
18m
West Main Street
8.9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsboro, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on this road
98 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Broad Street
408 ft·19 sec·South Broad Street
3
Turn right onto AL 35
0.7 mi·1 min·East Willow Street
4
Turn right onto AL 35; AL 279
299 ft·8 sec·Bynum Street
5
Continue on AL 35; AL 279
14 mi·18 min·Veterans Drive
6
Continue on AL 35
8.9 mi·12 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on AL 35
3.7 mi·4 min·Love Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
9
Merge onto I 59
37 mi·39 min·I 59
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 181Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
11
Turn right onto AL 77
0.5 mi·1 min·Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on AL 77
41 mi·59 min·West Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi·26 min·Western Bypass
14
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockford Highway
15
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi·11 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
25
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
26
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 289.3-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Scottsboro to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one suggested stop, you have ample flexibility to break up the journey as needed, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 69.5-mile stretch on US 231, and plan your refueling accordingly. The estimated fuel cost of $44 should help you budget for this. A single-day completion is definitely feasible, so you can focus on enjoying the drive rather than planning an overnight stay.
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 144.6 miles from Scottsboro, AL, or about 3h 3m 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.6 miles or 3h 3m 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 56m
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 Scottsboro, 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 Scottsboro, AL
This is one driving day of about 289.3 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Scottsboro, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 192 — 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|South Broad Street
Turn left onto South Broad Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|AL 35 / East Willow Street
Turn right onto AL 35 / East Willow Street
Navigation decision point
6
64.3 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 181
Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
6
184.4 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
192 mi into trip|~4h 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
$40.16 one way
$80.32 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$44.93
$89.87
premium
$4.29
$48.85
$97.70
diesel
$4.80
$54.63
$109.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Efficient EV
72.3
0
$25.31
$11.57
EV Truck/SUV
115.7
1
$40.50
$18.52
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Scottsboro, AL
Late night
in Scottsboro on Sunday
Local time
3:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
0 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:04PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night
in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
3:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 7:04PM CDT by NWS Mobile 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
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
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 89.8
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifa...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 37% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 69.5 miles, primarily on US 231. This suggests a blend of faster-paced highway driving interspersed with sections that might be more local or town-oriented. The road character will likely evolve as you progress through Alabama, shifting from potentially more open highway to areas with increased local traffic. The overall feel is less of a monotonous interstate cruise and more of a varied traversal.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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 South Broad Street.
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 13 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AL 35 / East Willow Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,231 ft188 ft
Total Climb
927 ft
Total Descent
1,247 ft
Highest Point
1,231 ft
~20.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,043 ft
Notable High Points
1,231 ft at ~20.7 miles+502 ft prominence
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 Scottsboro, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
Scottsboro is in the Mountains region of Alabama and is the seat of Jackson County, having enlivened a railroad mode of commerce there. It is a memorial to a seemingly rare instance where civil rights prevailed in the otherwise rather torn history of equality in this country, in a case known as the Scottsboro Boys. It's also the site of a unique venue where unclaimed airline baggage is publicly sold.
Top landmarks
•Public Square Historic District — historic district in Scottsboro, Alabama, USA
•College Hill Historic District — historic district in Scottsboro, Alabama, USA
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 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (AL 35 / East Willow Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Freedom Riders National Monument and Russell Cave 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.
