How far is Dothan, AL from Bessemer, AL?
The driving distance from Dothan, AL to Bessemer, AL is about 197.3 miles (317.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 176 miles (283.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 09m 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 04m.
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.
The capital of Alabama.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dothan and Bessemer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan and Bessemer.
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1
Start on East Main Street
34 m · 6 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
1658 ft · 53 sec · North Saint Andrews Street
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3
Turn left onto East Burdeshaw Street
703 ft · 23 sec · East Burdeshaw Street
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4
Turn right onto North Oates Street
3032 ft · 1 min · North Oates Street
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery Highway
7.1 mi · 12 min · Montgomery Highway
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6
Continue straight
2980 ft · 39 sec
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7
Continue straight
16 mi · 21 min
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8
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
2262 ft · 35 sec
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10
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
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11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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12
Continue straight
2531 ft · 56 sec
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13
Continue straight
2938 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
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15
Continue straight
859 ft · 15 sec
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16
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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19
Continue straight
36.1 mi · 43 min
-
20
Continue on McGehee Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
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21
Turn right onto Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
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22
Continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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23
Turn right onto Ann Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street
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24
Turn left onto Ann Street South
1322 ft · 32 sec
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25
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham
1759 ft · 43 sec
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27
Merge slight left
78.2 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I 459: Atlanta, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa
1318 ft · 32 sec
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29
Keep slight left to continue on I 459 South: Tuscaloosa
1.2 km · 2 min
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30
Merge slight left onto John M. Harbert III Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · John M. Harbert III Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Helena, Bessemer
1304 ft · 32 sec
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32
Keep slight right to continue on Helena, Bessemer
103 m · 8 sec
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33
Turn straight onto Morgan Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Morgan Road
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34
At the end of the road, turn left onto Bessemer Road
2838 ft · 1 min · Bessemer Road
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35
Continue on 14th Street South
1.1 mi · 2 min · 14th Street South
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36
Turn right onto 4th Avenue North
1921 ft · 55 sec · 4th Avenue North
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37
Turn right onto 18th Street North
115 m · 16 sec · 18th Street North
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38
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue North
29 m · 4 sec · 3rd Avenue North
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Avenue North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dothan and Bessemer.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-65 North
Merge slight left
78.2 mi · 01h 25m
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.
Sunny leaving Dothan and Sunny near Bessemer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dothan to Bessemer?
The road trip is about 197.3 miles (317.6 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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?
Montgomery is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.8 miles from Dothan and 98.5 miles from Bessemer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 176 miles (283.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 8:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.36 one way or $52.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dothan and Sunny near Bessemer.
Stop Ideas Near Montgomery
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 Montgomery.
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
Marion, AL
Camden, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dothan and Bessemer. Straight-line distance: 176.05 mi (283.33 km).
#1 Dothan
The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.
| Population | 69,414 |
| Coordinates | 31.2232300, -85.3904900 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bessemer
City in Jefferson County, Alabama, United States
| Population | 26,043 |
| Coordinates | 33.4017800, -86.9544400 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bessemer (-86.95444, 33.40178)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $26.36 | $52.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $29.64 | $59.29 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $32.19 | $64.38 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $37.69 | $75.38 |
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 10, 2026