How far is Chelsea, AL from Dothan, AL?

The driving distance from Chelsea, AL to Dothan, AL is about 187.2 miles (301.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 163.2 miles (262.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
187.25 mi
03h 18m
Flight
163.2 mi
262.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chelsea.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
163.2 mi
Kilometers
262.65 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.25 mi
Kilometers
301.35 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dothan
Tue, Apr 14, 8:24 PM CDT
Return by in Chelsea
Tue, Apr 14, 11:42 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chelsea
2026-04-14T17:05
Arrive Dothan
Tue, Apr 14, 8:24 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:19 AM to 11:19 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:22 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chelsea
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Pike Road
AL

Town

From Chelsea
91.7 mi
01h 39m
To Dothan
95.6 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph S
Destination
87°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Chelsea and Dothan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea and Dothan.

  1. 1

    Start on Chelsea Road

    1596 ft · 1 min · Chelsea Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Chelsea Road

    11.3 mi · 20 min · Chelsea Road

  3. 3

    Turn right

    10.3 mi · 15 min

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1662 ft · 41 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    56.7 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta

    120 m · 10 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Atlanta

    1040 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    2.7 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Ann Street

    1275 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Ann Street

    133 m · 9 sec · Ann Street

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Zelda Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Carter Hill Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto McGehee Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Troy Highway

    34.7 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    7.7 mi · 10 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    546 ft · 9 sec

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    2 mi · 4 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    7.6 mi · 11 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    38.4 mi · 47 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    6.2 mi · 11 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Powell Street

    703 ft · 23 sec · West Powell Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street

    2494 ft · 1 min · North Saint Andrews Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    34 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chelsea and Dothan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Troy Highway
96.7 mi · 52%
Chelsea Road
68.7 mi · 37%
I 85 North
2.93 mi · 2%
McGehee Road
1.44 mi · 1%
Zelda Road
1.11 mi · 1%
Carter Hill Road
1.07 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Chelsea Road

Merge slight left

56.7 mi · 01h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
163.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pike Road
01h 39m from Chelsea
Leave By
10:22 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Chelsea and Sunny near Dothan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Chelsea to Dothan?

The road trip is about 187.2 miles (301.3 km) and usually takes 03h 18m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Pike Road is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.7 miles from Chelsea and 95.6 miles from Dothan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 163.2 miles (262.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.03 one way or $50.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chelsea and Sunny near Dothan.

Stop Ideas Near Pike Road

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pike Road, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pike Road.

BUS

Montgomery, AL

22 mi away
950 West South Boulevard
BUS

Selma, AL

88 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Camden, AL

115 mi away
8 Claiborne Street \r\n8 Claiborne Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chelsea and Dothan. Straight-line distance: 163.2 mi (262.65 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Chelsea

Chelsea is a place in Alabama, United States.

Population0
Coordinates33.3401100, -86.6302600
Altitude156
CountryUnited States
Dothan

#2 Dothan

The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.

Population69,414
Coordinates31.2232300, -85.3904900
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 39 (-86.630173, 33.340099)
End: East Main Street (-85.390469, 31.223396)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 301 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.61 gal
25.01 L · about $25.03
Round trip
$50.06
13.22 gal · 50.02 L
Estimated CO2
58.7 kg one way
Round trip: 117.5 kg / 259 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $25.03 $50.06
Mid-grade $4.26 $28.15 $56.30
Premium $4.63 $30.57 $61.14
Diesel $5.42 $35.79 $71.59

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alabama · Apr 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Chelsea and Dothan. The current time is 17:05:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.