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Road Genius makes it easy to find rental car offers in Dothan, Alabama. Compare prices and book in one place. Pick up your car at Dothan Regional Airport or an off-airport spot on Ross Clark Circle and be on US-231 toward downtown murals or Panama City Beach in minutes. We show real-time deals from Enterprise, Hertz and other major brands so you can lock in a low rate before peanut-festival crowds roll in.

Car Rental Locations & Options

Map of campervan rental depots near 533264
Location Pros Cons
Dothan Regional Airport (DHN) • On-site rental counters in terminal
• Cars located just outside terminal
• No shuttle needed
• Limited flight schedule (mainly Atlanta connections)
• Limited hours aligned with flight arrivals
• Fewer companies (usually Enterprise, Hertz)
• Higher rates than in-town locations
Ross Clark Circle locations • Potentially lower rates (no airport fees)
• Extended business hours
• Located on main commercial thoroughfare
• Closed Sundays or limited weekend hours
• Transportation needed from airport
• Advance reservations recommended
Downtown Dothan • Convenient if staying downtown
• May offer neighborhood specials
• Very limited options
• Restricted hours
• Smaller selection of vehicles

Airport Pickup:

  • DHN is a very small airport; rental counters are in the terminal
  • Advanced reservations strongly recommended due to small fleet size
  • DHN primarily serves Delta Connection flights from Atlanta

Transport between Locations:

  • Limited taxi and rideshare availability in Dothan
  • No public transportation between airport and city
  • Consider arranging pickup in advance if not renting at airport
  • Airport is approximately 7 miles (11 km) from downtown Dothan

Car Rental Prices

How much does it cost to rent a car in Dothan?

On average, car rentals in Dothan cost around $68 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $46 per day.

Saving Tips
  • Compare pickup spots: Airport counters are convenient but often pricier. Check Ross Clark Circle or downtown locations on our site; even after a $15-$20 rideshare from DHN you can come out ahead.

  • Watch the calendar: Rates spike during summer beach traffic and the early-November National Peanut Festival. Book a couple weeks early for those windows, but feel free to gamble on last-minute deals in quiet winter months.

  • Toggle the "weekly rate": In Dothan a 7-day booking can cost less than a 5-day one. Always price out both options before you click pay.

  • Shift your pickup day: Grabbing the car Tuesday or Wednesday and returning midweek avoids the Thu-Mon demand bump that drives up prices.

  • Fill up before Florida: Gas on Ross Clark Circle is usually 20-30 cents cheaper per gallon than at Panama City Beach. Topping off in town keeps the road-trip budget happy.

Parking and Local Driving

Where to Park:

Location Type Cost Time Limits Additional Info
Downtown Dothan Street parking Free Generally unlimited Abundant availability
Downtown lots Surface lots Free No limit Near courthouse and businesses
Ross Clark Circle businesses Private lots Free During business Shopping centers and restaurants
National Peanut Festival grounds Festival parking Free During events Can be crowded during festival
Wiregrass Commons Mall Surface lot Free No limit Shopping center parking
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Dedicated lot Free During play Highland Oaks golf course
DHN Airport Surface lot Paid No limit Long-term parking reference

Local Driving Rules:

  • Speed limits:

    • Downtown/residential streets: 25-35 mph (40-56 km/h)
    • Ross Clark Circle: 45 mph (72 km/h)
    • Rural highways: 55-65 mph (89-105 km/h)
  • School zones strictly enforced (15-25 mph when lights flashing)
  • Right turns allowed on red after a full stop (unless signed otherwise)
  • Ross Clark Circle has many traffic lights and commercial entrances; be prepared for stop-and-go traffic
  • Small towns surrounding Dothan (Midland City, Ozark) may have speed enforcement zones

Traffic Patterns:

  • Ross Clark Circle experiences heaviest traffic, especially during:

    • Weekday rush hours (7:00-8:30 AM and 4:30-6:00 PM)
    • Saturday shopping hours
    • Summer Friday afternoons (beach traffic heading south)
  • Downtown Dothan has relatively light traffic except during events
  • US-231 south can be congested on summer weekends because of beach traffic
Why rent a car in Dothan

Book a car rental so you can get to:

  • Panama City Beach – Gulf Coast, beaches

  • Fort Rucker / Army Aviation Museum – museum, helicopters

  • National Peanut Festival grounds – festival, fairgrounds

  • Wiregrass Museum of Art – art, exhibitions

  • Lake Eufaula – water recreation, wildlife

  • Florida Caverns State Park – caves, trails

Driving Distances from Dothan

FAQs

How far is Dothan from Florida beaches?

Dothan is about 80 miles (129 km) from Panama City Beach, Florida. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Many travelers use it as a final stop before reaching Gulf Coast beaches.

Is there a toll road between Dothan and Florida beaches?

You won't find any toll roads on the direct route (US-231) from Dothan to Panama City Beach. However, if you drive to other places in Florida like Destin, you may run into toll bridges or roads there.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Dothan?

If your license is not in English, we strongly recommend you get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to act as a translation. Alabama lets tourists drive using a valid foreign driver's license.

What's the minimum age to rent a car in Dothan?

Most companies require you to be 21 years old. They add a young-driver fee of about $25-$30 per day for drivers ages 21-24. Younger drivers may also have a smaller selection of cars to choose from.

Is Dothan Regional Airport open 24 hours?

No. DHN matches its open hours to its flight schedule. Right now, that schedule is limited to Delta Connection flights to and from Atlanta. The rental counters usually open just before flights arrive and close after the last one leaves.

Can I take a rental car from Dothan to Florida?

Yes. You can drive a rental car from Dothan to Florida without any restrictions. Many visitors use Dothan as a stopping point on their way to the Gulf Coast beaches.

What's the National Peanut Festival and how does it affect travel?

The National Peanut Festival, held every year in early November, celebrates Dothan's farming heritage. The fairgrounds are south of the city on US-231. During the festival, you should expect more traffic, higher hotel rates and fewer rental cars available.