How far is Dothan, AL from Elba, AL?

The driving distance from Dothan, AL to Elba, AL is about 45.5 miles (73.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
45.52 mi
01h 02m
Flight
42.1 mi
67.76 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dothan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.1 mi
Kilometers
67.76 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.52 mi
Kilometers
73.25 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 01h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elba
Thu, Apr 23, 6:18 AM CDT
Return by in Dothan
Thu, Apr 23, 7:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dothan
2026-04-23T05:16
Arrive Elba
Thu, Apr 23, 6:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:02 AM to 11:02 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dothan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Daleville
AL

City in Alabama

From Dothan
22.7 mi
00h 31m
To Elba
22.8 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ESE
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    21.4 mi · 30 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    7.7 mi · 10 min

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto South Main Street

    3002 ft · 52 sec · South Main Street

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street

    4.2 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    9.9 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Davis Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · East Davis Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Polka Street

    97 m · 16 sec · Polka Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Simmons Street

    5 m · 1 sec · Simmons Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Simmons Street

Car Route Details

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

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
9 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Main Street
29 mi · 64%
North Main Street
14.1 mi · 31%
East Davis Street
1.71 mi · 4%
South Main Street
0.57 mi · 1%
Polka Street
0.06 mi
Simmons Street
0 mi
Longest Stretch

East Main Street

Start on East Main Street

21.4 mi · 00h 30m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.4 mi
42.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Daleville
00h 31m from Dothan
Leave By
4:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Dothan and Sunny near Elba.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.5 miles (73.3 km) and usually takes 01h 02m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Daleville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.7 miles from Dothan and 22.8 miles from Elba.

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

The direct path is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.10 one way or $12.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dothan and Elba. Straight-line distance: 42.1 mi (67.76 km).

Dothan

#1 Dothan

The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.

Population69,414
Coordinates31.2232300, -85.3904900
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Elba

#2 Elba

City in Alabama, United States of America

Population3,919
Coordinates31.4146100, -86.0677200
Altitude59
CountryUnited States
Start: Dothan (-85.39049, 31.22323)
End: Elba (-86.06772, 31.41461)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.61 gal
6.08 L · about $6.10
Round trip
$12.19
3.22 gal · 12.16 L
Estimated CO2
14.3 kg one way
Round trip: 28.6 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $6.10 $12.19
Mid-grade $4.26 $6.86 $13.71
Premium $4.63 $7.45 $14.89
Diesel $5.42 $8.72 $17.44

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Dothan and Elba. The current time is 05:16:23.

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.