North America > United States > Dothan (DHN)
The Car or no Car advice for Dothan can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Dothan ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Dothan ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Dothan?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Getting to Dothan ✈️
Dothan Regional Airport (DHN) is a very small airport with limited commercial service, typically via Atlanta on regional jets. Flights are infrequent, and schedules are built around local demand rather than tourism. As a result, many visitors choose to fly into Atlanta, Tallahassee, or even Panama City, then drive the final leg.
Because of this, rental cars are almost assumed. Even if you land at DHN, car hire desks are right there in the terminal, and prices are usually reasonable compared with major US hubs.
Getting around without a car 🚶♂️🚌
Public transport exists in the form of Wiregrass Transit, but services are limited in frequency and coverage. Buses are designed for essential local travel rather than visitor exploration, and they do not make sightseeing practical.
Downtown Dothan itself is compact and walkable for short stretches, with murals, local restaurants, and the small but interesting Wiregrass Museum of Art. However, this only fills a small part of a visit.
Why a car really matters here 🚗🌴
Dothan is best understood as a base rather than a destination. With a car, you can:
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Reach Florida’s Emerald Coast beaches (Panama City Beach is about 90 minutes away)
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Explore rural Alabama and Georgia backroads
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Visit state parks, peanut farms, and small Southern towns
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Make sense of distances that are simply impractical without driving
Driving is easy, roads are uncongested, and parking is plentiful and free almost everywhere.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Dothan? ✅
Yes—absolutely. Dothan is firmly a car-oriented destination, and renting a car is not a luxury but a necessity. Without one, your experience will be extremely limited. With one, however, Dothan becomes a relaxed Southern gateway to beaches, countryside, and classic small-town America 🌞🌰🚘.
