How far is Rainbow, AL from Dothan, AL?
The driving distance from Rainbow, AL to Dothan, AL is about 292.5 miles (470.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256 miles (412 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 38m 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 04h 49m.
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 Rainbow and Dothan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rainbow and Dothan.
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1
Start on Forrest Drive
36 m · 11 sec · Forrest Drive
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2
Turn left onto Rainbow Circle
127 m · 18 sec · Rainbow Circle
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3
Continue on Roema Drive
1314 ft · 1 min · Roema Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Hughes Road
4.9 mi · 9 min · Hughes Road
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5
Turn right onto Madison Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · Madison Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto Wall Triana Highway
154 m · 13 sec · Wall Triana Highway
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward 565: Decatur
2178 ft · 53 sec
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8
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 9 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 65: Birmingham, Nashville
864 ft · 16 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 65 South: Birmingham
1.3 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left
73.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 22 West, US 31: Memphis, Fultondale
2715 ft · 38 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 22 West: Memphis
2666 ft · 38 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Montgomery
1940 ft · 28 sec
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15
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 1 hr 44 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I-85 North: Atlanta
120 m · 10 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Atlanta
1040 ft · 25 sec
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18
Continue straight
2.7 mi · 4 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Ann Street
1275 ft · 35 sec
-
20
Turn right onto Ann Street
133 m · 9 sec · Ann Street
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Zelda Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Zelda Road
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22
Continue on Carter Hill Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Carter Hill Road
-
23
Turn left onto McGehee Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · McGehee Road
-
24
Continue on Troy Highway
34.7 mi · 41 min · Troy Highway
-
25
Continue straight
7.7 mi · 10 min
-
26
Continue straight
546 ft · 9 sec
-
27
Continue straight
2 mi · 4 min
-
28
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 11 min
-
29
Continue straight
38.4 mi · 47 min
-
30
Continue straight
6.2 mi · 11 min
-
31
Turn left onto West Powell Street
703 ft · 23 sec · West Powell Street
-
32
Turn right onto North Saint Andrews Street
2494 ft · 1 min · North Saint Andrews Street
-
33
Turn left onto East Main Street
34 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rainbow and Dothan.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Montgomery
Merge slight left
93.2 mi · 01h 44m
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 Rainbow and Sunny near Dothan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rainbow to Dothan?
The road trip is about 292.5 miles (470.8 km) and usually takes 04h 49m 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 144.5 miles from Rainbow and 148.1 miles from Dothan.
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 36.5 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 7:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.81 one way or $81.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rainbow and Sunny near Dothan.
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 Rainbow and Dothan. Straight-line distance: 256.02 mi (412.02 km).
#1 Rainbow
Rainbow is a place in Alabama, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 34.7525900, -86.7363900 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dothan
The most populous city in Houston County, Alabama.
| Population | 69,414 |
| Coordinates | 31.2232300, -85.3904900 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Main Street (-85.390469, 31.223396)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 471 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.95 | $40.81 | $81.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $45.71 | $91.41 |
| Premium | $4.84 | $49.90 | $99.79 |
| Diesel | $5.93 | $61.24 | $122.48 |
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