How far is Gulf Shores, AL from Dothan, AL?

Fastest route

The route from Gulf Shores, Alabama, USA to Dothan, Alabama, USA is approximately 186 miles and takes around 3 hours and 8 minutes via I-10 E.

Directions

  1. Head north toward W Beach Blvd.
  2. Turn right onto W Beach Blvd and continue straight onto AL-182 E/Alabama's Coastal Connection/E Beach Blvd.
  3. Enter Florida and pass by Burger King on the left in 6.9 miles.
  4. Turn left onto FL-173 N/N Blue Angel Pkwy.
  5. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto FL-297 N and merge onto I-10 E.
  6. Continue on I-10 E and take exit 120 for FL-77 toward Panama City.
  7. Keep left at the fork and follow signs for Baptist College Of Florida. Take FL-273 N and US-231 N to your destination in Dothan.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Make sure to follow the signs and directions on the road.
  • ⛽ Plan for any necessary fuel stops along the way.
  • 🚧 Check for any traffic updates before starting your journey.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app or GPS device to help navigate the route.
  • 🍽️ Consider making a pit stop for food or refreshments during the journey.
  • 🕒 Allow for additional time if there are any roadworks or delays along the route.
  • 🧭 Familiarize yourself with the specific highway exits and street names mentioned in the directions.
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
193.66 mi
03h 25m
Flight
152.91 mi
246.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gulf Shores.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
152.91 mi
Kilometers
246.09 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.66 mi
Kilometers
311.67 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dothan
Fri, May 1, 7:13 AM CDT
Return by in Gulf Shores
Fri, May 1, 10:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gulf Shores
2026-05-01T03:48
Arrive Dothan
Fri, May 1, 7:13 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:10 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gulf Shores
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
Florala
AL

City in Covington County, Alabama, United States

From Gulf Shores
91.7 mi
01h 42m
To Dothan
102 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Gulf Shores Weather
AL
Live fallback forecast
75°F
Friday
Using Orange Beach as the closest live forecast in the Baldwin County weather hub.

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph E
Destination
79°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gulf Shores and Dothan.

  1. 1

    Start on West Beach Boulevard

    3.9 mi · 8 min · West Beach Boulevard

  2. 2

    Continue on Perdido Beach Boulevard

    7.4 mi · 13 min · Perdido Beach Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on Perdido Key Drive

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Perdido Key Drive

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Perdido Key Drive

    25 m · 2 sec · Perdido Key Drive

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto Perdido Key Drive

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Perdido Key Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Sorrento Road

    5.1 mi · 8 min · Sorrento Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Blue Angel Parkway

    3.2 mi · 5 min · South Blue Angel Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on North Blue Angel Parkway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · North Blue Angel Parkway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Lillian Highway

    1.1 km · 1 min · Lillian Highway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Fairfield Drive

    5.7 mi · 11 min · West Fairfield Drive

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on West Fairfield Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Fairfield Drive

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Davis Highway

    597 ft · 12 sec · North Davis Highway

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward I 110 North

    993 ft · 24 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Reubin O'Donovan Askew Parkway

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East, FL 291: Tallahassee, Davis Highway

    1328 ft · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Tallahassee

    1.1 km · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    106.3 mi · 1 hr 54 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward FL 77: Chipley, Panama City

    1744 ft · 42 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Main Street

    3.2 mi · 7 min · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Glenwood Avenue

    14.5 mi · 20 min · Glenwood Avenue

  21. 21

    At the end of the road, turn left

    122 m · 8 sec

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    13.2 mi · 16 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    4.1 mi · 6 min

  24. 24

    Turn slight right onto South Saint Andrews Street

    1.8 mi · 5 min · South Saint Andrews Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    34 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 10 East
107 mi · 55%
Glenwood Avenue
31.8 mi · 16%
Perdido Beach Boulevard
7.44 mi · 4%
Perdido Key Drive
6.96 mi · 4%
West Fairfield Drive
6.6 mi · 3%
Sorrento Road
5.07 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 10 East

Merge slight left

106 mi · 01h 54m

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
03h 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.8 mi
152.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Florala
01h 42m from Gulf Shores
Leave By
10:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Gulf Shores and Chance Rain Showers near Dothan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gulf Shores to Dothan?

The road trip is about 193.7 miles (311.7 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?

Florala is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.7 miles from Gulf Shores and 102 miles from Dothan.

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

The direct path is about 152.9 miles (246.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.8 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 10:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.87 one way or $51.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Gulf Shores and Chance Rain Showers near Dothan.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gulf Shores and Dothan. Straight-line distance: 152.91 mi (246.09 km).

Gulf Shores

#1 Gulf Shores

City in Baldwin County, Alabama, United States

Population13,166
Coordinates30.2460400, -87.7008200
Altitude2
CountryUnited States
Dothan

#2 Dothan

The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.

Population69,414
Coordinates31.2232300, -85.3904900
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Start: West Beach Boulevard (-87.700903, 30.246361)
End: East Main Street (-85.390469, 31.223396)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 312 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.83 gal
25.87 L · about $25.87
Round trip
$51.73
13.66 gal · 51.74 L
Estimated CO2
60.7 kg one way
Round trip: 121.4 kg / 268 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.79 $25.87 $51.73
Mid-grade $4.26 $29.09 $58.18
Premium $4.63 $31.59 $63.18
Diesel $5.42 $36.98 $73.97

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 · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Gulf Shores and Dothan. The current time is 03:48:26.

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.