Whitesboro to Dothan is 239.8 miles and takes about 5h 10m via US 231, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Alabama, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a practical one-day trip. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, it's a good option for a direct drive between these two points.
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
119.9 miles from Whitesboro, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m 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
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
Western Bypass
22.7 mi
26m
I 59
6.7 mi
7m
Leeth Gap Road
4.9 mi
8m
Bruton Gap Road
2.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 231
— 69.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitesboro, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on Whitesboro Road
213 ft·9 sec·Whitesboro Road
2
Turn right onto Leeth Gap Road
4.9 mi·8 min·Leeth Gap Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Duck Springs Road
0.5 mi·53 sec·Duck Springs Road
4
Turn left onto Bruton Gap Road
2.2 mi·5 min·Bruton Gap Road
5
Continue on AL 211
0.3 mi·34 sec·Noccalula Parkway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
7
Merge onto I 59
6.7 mi·7 min·I 59
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Exit 181Toward AL 77: Attalla, Rainbow City
9
Turn right onto AL 77
0.5 mi·1 min·Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on AL 77
41 mi·59 min·West Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto AL 21
23 mi·26 min·Western Bypass
12
Continue on AL 21
1.2 mi·1 min·Rockford Highway
13
Continue on US 231; AL 21
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·Broadway Avenue
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
7.6 mi·11 min·US 231; AL 21
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
18
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
23
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
24
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
25
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight for this 5h 10m drive. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 239.8 miles, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 69.5-mile stretch on US 231, as services can be spaced out in some sections.
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 119.9 miles from Whitesboro, AL, or about 2h 36m 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 53 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.9 miles or 2h 36m 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 13m
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 Whitesboro, 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 Whitesboro, AL
This is one driving day of about 239.8 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Whitesboro, 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 142.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5 mi into trip|~8m in|Duck Springs Road
At end of road, turn right onto Duck Springs Road
Navigation decision point
6
14.9 mi into trip|~22m 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
4
15.2 mi into trip|~23m in|AL 77 / Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Turn right onto AL 77 / Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
135 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 231; AL 21
Turn left onto US 231; AL 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
142.6 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
$33.29 one way
$66.58 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$37.24
$74.49
premium
$4.29
$40.49
$80.98
diesel
$4.80
$45.28
$90.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.18
$11.51
Efficient EV
60
0
$20.98
$9.59
EV Truck/SUV
95.9
1
$33.57
$15.35
Gas CO2
84 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Whitesboro, AL
Late night
in Whitesboro on Monday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 5 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Late night
in Dothan on Monday
Local time
2:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 mph54% 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
6 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 10m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 41.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 32% highway, meaning you'll transition from faster-paced travel to surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on US 231 is 69.5 miles. You'll notice the change from highway to surface roads as you approach towns. Be prepared for more frequent stops and potentially slower speeds once you leave the highway segments.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 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 around 5 miles in near Duck Springs Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5 miles (Duck Springs Road): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles (AL 77 / Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,061 ft194 ft
Total Climb
473 ft
Total Descent
1,214 ft
Highest Point
1,061 ft
Elevation Range
867 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 Whitesboro, AL to Dothan, AL, road signs begin pointing toward Rainbow City along the way.
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.
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: at 5 miles (Duck Springs Road): Navigation decision point; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.2 miles (AL 77 / Gilbert Ferry Road Southeast): 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
