Winfield, AL to Dothan, AL is 267.9 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 65 and US 231, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traversing Alabama from one side to the other. With 83% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct path for most of the 5-hour trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the state, suitable for a single day.
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
133.9 miles from Winfield, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 65
92.7 mi
1h 43m
US 231
62 mi
1h 22m
I 22
61.1 mi
1h 5m
Troy Highway
34.7 mi
41m
Bankhead Highway
5.1 mi
7m
I 85
2.7 mi
3m
AL 233
2.4 mi
4m
Bankhead Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 65
— 92.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winfield, AL and Dothan, AL.
1
Start on US 43; AL 118; AL 171
129 ft·5 sec·Bankhead Avenue
2
Continue on AL 118
0.6 mi·1 min·Bankhead Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on AL 118
1.4 mi·2 min·Bankhead Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on AL 118; AL 129
4.5 mi·6 min·Bankhead Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto AL 233
2.4 mi·4 min·AL 233
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
7
Merge onto I 22; US 78
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·I 22; US 78
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·38 sec
Toward I 65 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 65
93 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 65
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
393 ft·9 sec
Exit 171Toward I-85 North: Atlanta
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
12
Continue on I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·I 85
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 3Toward Ann StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto Ann Street
436 ft·8 sec·Ann Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Zelda Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Zelda Road
16
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Carter Hill Road
17
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi·2 min·McGehee Road
18
Continue on US 82; US 231
35 mi·41 min·Troy Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 231
7.7 mi·9 min·US 231
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 231; AL 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·US 231; AL 10
21
Continue on US 231; AL 10
2.0 mi·3 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 231; AL 10
7.6 mi·10 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 231; AL 10
38 mi·47 min·US 231; AL 10
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on US 231
6.2 mi·11 min·US 231
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto West Powell Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·West Powell Street
26
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Saint Andrews Street
27
Turn left onto US 84 Business; AL 52
111 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 84 Business; AL 52
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to give you plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan for a break around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the 92.7-mile stretch on I 65, as services can be spaced out on highways. The $40 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a bit later if needed, but aim to start early to make the most of your day.
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 133.9 miles from Winfield, AL, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.7 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 30m 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 16m
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 Winfield, 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 Winfield, AL
This is one driving day of about 267.9 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Winfield, 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 92.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.5 and 166.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.5 mi into trip|~9m in|AL 233
Turn left onto AL 233
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.3 mi into trip|~14m in|I 22; US 78
Merge onto I 22; US 78
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 65 South: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 65 South: Birmingham
6
163.7 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
7
166.7 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
$37.19 one way
$74.38 round trip
$3.53/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.95
$41.61
$83.22
premium
$4.29
$45.24
$90.47
diesel
$4.80
$50.58
$101.17
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: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.13
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Winfield, AL
Afternoon
in Winfield on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dothan, AL
Afternoon
in Dothan on Sunday
Local time
12:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph1% 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
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 21m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 73.9
Park Closure: A.G Gaston Motel Closed for Construction
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend the majority of your time, 83% of it, on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 92.7 miles on I 65, meaning you'll have extended periods of cruising. After the highway portions conclude, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining miles. Expect a mix of cruising and potentially more frequent stops as you get closer to your destination.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.7 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 6.5 miles in near AL 233.
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 14 significant decision points across 267.9 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 6.5 miles (AL 233): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 21m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m 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 92.7 miles on I 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.5 miles (AL 233): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.3 miles (I 22; US 78): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
