How far is Dothan, AL from Helena, AL?
The driving distance from Dothan, AL to Helena, AL is about 178 miles (286.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 166.5 miles (268 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m 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 03h 42m.
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.
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 Helena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan and Helena.
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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
70 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward CR 52: Pelham, Helena
2225 ft · 57 sec
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29
Turn left onto County Road 52
1.2 km · 2 min · County Road 52
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30
Turn right onto Pelham Parkway
690 ft · 17 sec · Pelham Parkway
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31
Turn left onto County Road 52
1.4 mi · 3 min · County Road 52
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32
Continue on 4th Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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33
At the end of the road, turn right onto Helena Road
2148 ft · 43 sec · Helena Road
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Helena Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dothan and Helena.
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
70 mi · 01h 16m
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 Helena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dothan to Helena?
The road trip is about 178 miles (286.5 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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 89.1 miles from Dothan and 88.9 miles from Helena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 166.5 miles (268 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.78 one way or $47.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dothan and Sunny near Helena.
Stop Ideas Near Pike Road
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 Pike Road.
Montgomery, AL
Selma, AL
Camden, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dothan and Helena. Straight-line distance: 166.5 mi (267.95 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 Helena
City in Alabama, United States
| Population | 20,374 |
| Coordinates | 33.2962200, -86.8436000 |
| Altitude | 127 |
| Country | United States |
End: Helena (-86.8436, 33.29622)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.79 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.26 | $26.75 | $53.49 |
| Premium | $4.63 | $29.05 | $58.09 |
| Diesel | $5.42 | $34.01 | $68.01 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.