How far is Dothan, AL from Rainbow, AL?
The driving distance from Dothan, AL to Rainbow, AL is about 288.1 miles (463.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256 miles (412 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 30m 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 05h 45m.
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.
City in Chilton County, Alabama, United States
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 Rainbow.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dothan and Rainbow.
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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
-
10
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
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11
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
-
12
Continue straight
2531 ft · 56 sec
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13
Continue straight
2938 ft · 1 min
-
14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
-
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
-
23
Turn right onto Ann Street
911 ft · 27 sec · Ann Street
-
24
Turn left onto Ann Street South
1322 ft · 32 sec
-
25
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on I-65 North: Birmingham
1759 ft · 43 sec
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27
Merge slight left
167.9 mi · 3 hr 4 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward I 565 East, AL 20 West, US 72 Alternate: Decatur, Huntsville
1665 ft · 41 sec
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29
Keep slight right to continue on I 565 East, US 72 Alternate East: Huntsville
2761 ft · 1 min
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30
Merge slight left
8.4 mi · 9 min
-
31
Take the exit slight right toward Madison Boulevard, Wall-Triana Highway
1397 ft · 27 sec
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32
Keep slight left to continue on Madison
142 m · 9 sec
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33
Turn straight onto Wall Triana Highway
1393 ft · 28 sec · Wall Triana Highway
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34
Continue on Sullivan Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · Sullivan Street
-
35
Continue on Wall Triana Highway
3.1 mi · 6 min · Wall Triana Highway
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36
Turn right
1.2 km · 1 min
-
37
Turn right onto Rainbow Circle
826 ft · 42 sec · Rainbow Circle
-
38
Turn left onto Forrest Drive
36 m · 5 sec · Forrest Drive
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Forrest Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dothan and Rainbow.
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
168 mi · 03h 04m
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 Rainbow.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dothan to Rainbow?
The road trip is about 288.1 miles (463.7 km) and usually takes 05h 45m 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?
Clanton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.2 miles from Dothan and 143.9 miles from Rainbow.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256 miles (412 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.1 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 5:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.21 one way or $80.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dothan and Sunny near Rainbow.
Stop Ideas Near Clanton
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 Clanton.
Brent, AL
Selma, AL
Montgomery, AL
Marion, AL
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dothan and Rainbow. Straight-line distance: 256.02 mi (412.02 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 Rainbow
Rainbow is a place in Alabama, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.7525900, -86.7363900 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rainbow (-86.73639, 34.75259)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 464 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $45.04 | $90.09 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $49.17 | $98.34 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $60.35 | $120.70 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026