How far is Chelsea, AL from Dothan, AL?
The driving distance from Chelsea, AL to Dothan, AL is about 297.6 miles (478.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.8 miles (402 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Alabama, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
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.
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1
Start on Triana Boulevard Southwest
2730 ft · 1 min · Triana Boulevard Southwest
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2
Turn left onto Drake Avenue Southwest
1.6 km · 2 min · Drake Avenue Southwest
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3
Turn slight right
53 m · 8 sec
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4
Turn slight right onto Patton Road Southwest
1.6 km · 2 min · Patton Road Southwest
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5
Continue on Jordan Lane Southwest
2662 ft · 1 min · Jordan Lane Southwest
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6
Take the ramp left
1510 ft · 38 sec
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7
Merge slight left
16.3 mi · 18 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
864 ft · 16 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Birmingham
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
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14
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta
120 m · 10 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Atlanta
1040 ft · 25 sec
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17
Continue straight
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward Ann Street
1275 ft · 35 sec
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19
Turn right onto Ann Street
133 m · 9 sec · Ann Street
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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21
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
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22
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
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23
Continue on Troy Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway
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24
Continue straight
7.7 mi · 10 min
-
25
Continue straight
546 ft · 9 sec
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26
Continue straight
2 mi · 4 min
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27
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 11 min
-
28
Continue straight
38.4 mi · 47 min
-
29
Continue straight
6.2 mi · 11 min
-
30
Turn left onto West Powell Street
703 ft · 23 sec · West Powell Street
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31
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
2494 ft · 1 min · North Saint Andrews Street
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32
Turn left onto East Main Street
34 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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33
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.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Montgomery
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 01h 44m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Chelsea and Partly 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 297.6 miles (478.9 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?
Thorsby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.8 miles from Chelsea and 150.8 miles from Dothan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.8 miles (402 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.8 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 7:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.76 one way or $79.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Chelsea and Partly Sunny near Dothan.
Stop Ideas Near Thorsby
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Thorsby.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chelsea and Dothan. Straight-line distance: 249.78 mi (401.99 km).
#1 Chelsea
City in Madison County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 14,608 |
| Coordinates | 34.6906500, -86.6099900 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dothan
The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.
| Population | 69,414 |
| Coordinates | 31.2232300, -85.3904900 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Main Street (-85.390469, 31.223396)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 479 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $39.76 | $79.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $44.72 | $89.44 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $48.56 | $97.13 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $56.86 | $113.72 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.