How far is Dothan, AL from Huntsville, AL?

The driving distance from Dothan, AL to Huntsville, AL is about 297.4 miles (478.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 252 miles (405.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m 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
297.39 mi
04h 42m
Flight
252.03 mi
405.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dothan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
252.03 mi
Kilometers
405.6 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
297.39 mi
Kilometers
478.61 km
Drive Time
04h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Huntsville
Thu, Apr 16, 5:38 PM CDT
Return by in Dothan
Thu, Apr 16, 10:21 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dothan
2026-04-16T12:55
Arrive Huntsville
Thu, Apr 16, 5:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:34 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dothan
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
Thorsby
AL

Town in Alabama, USA

From Dothan
146.5 mi
02h 21m
To Huntsville
150.9 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Thursday

Patchy Fog then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    34 m · 6 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street

    1658 ft · 53 sec · North Saint Andrews Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Burdeshaw Street

    703 ft · 23 sec · East Burdeshaw Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Oates Street

    3032 ft · 1 min · North Oates Street

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery Highway

    7.1 mi · 12 min · Montgomery Highway

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    2980 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    16 mi · 21 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    20.5 mi · 24 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    2262 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    5.1 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2.1 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    2531 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2938 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    859 ft · 15 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    36.1 mi · 43 min

  20. 20

    Continue on McGehee Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Carter Hill Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Zelda Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Ann Street

    911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Ann Street South

    1322 ft · 32 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham

    1759 ft · 43 sec

  27. 27

    Merge slight left

    167.9 mi · 3 hr 4 min

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville

    1665 ft · 41 sec

  29. 29

    Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville

    2761 ft · 1 min

  30. 30

    Merge slight left

    18.9 mi · 20 min

  31. 31

    Take the exit slight right toward Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown

    985 ft · 24 sec

  32. 32

    Continue on Wasthington Street, Jefferson Street, Downtown

    120 m · 10 sec

  33. 33

    Keep slight right to continue on Jefferson Street, Downtown

    104 m · 8 sec

  34. 34

    Turn straight onto Jefferson Street North

    2688 ft · 1 min · Jefferson Street North

  35. 35

    Turn right onto Spring Street Southwest

    1 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Spring Street Southwest

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
36 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-65 North
168 mi · 57%
Montgomery Highway
96.2 mi · 32%
I 565 East
19.7 mi · 7%
Ann Street South
2.79 mi · 1%
McGehee Road
1.45 mi
Zelda Road
1.09 mi
Longest Stretch

I-65 North

Merge slight left

168 mi · 03h 04m

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
04h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+45.4 mi
252 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thorsby
02h 21m from Dothan
Leave By
7:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Dothan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Huntsville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 297.4 miles (478.6 km) and usually takes 04h 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?

Thorsby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 146.5 miles from Dothan and 150.9 miles from Huntsville.

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

The direct path is about 252 miles (405.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.73 one way or $79.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Dothan and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Huntsville.

Stop Ideas Near Thorsby

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Thorsby, 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 Thorsby.

BUS

Brent, AL

43 mi away
10393 Alabama Highway 5
BUS

Selma, AL

63 mi away
434 Broad Street
BUS

Marion, AL

64 mi away
26400 Alabama Highway 14
RAIL

Birmingham

67 mi away
1819 Morris Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dothan and Huntsville. Straight-line distance: 252.03 mi (405.6 km).

Dothan

#1 Dothan

The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.

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

#2 Huntsville

The second most populous city in Alabama.

Population202,964
Coordinates34.7304000, -86.5859400
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-85.390469, 31.223396)
End: Jefferson Street South (-86.585936, 34.730413)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 479 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.49 gal
39.72 L · about $39.73
Round trip
$79.45
20.98 gal · 79.44 L
Estimated CO2
93.2 kg one way
Round trip: 186.4 kg / 411 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $39.73 $79.45
Mid-grade $4.26 $44.68 $89.35
Premium $4.63 $48.52 $97.03
Diesel $5.42 $56.80 $113.61

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Dothan and Huntsville. The current time is 12:55:05.

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.