Best route from Montgomery Al to Panama City FL

Think I'll stick with us 2:31 since we're going to Panama City.

If you are going thru Dothan if the light turns yellow do not go thru it just stop. I found out the hard way and received a ticket in the mail from a camera on the light even tho I slowed down, it did not matter. Still received a ticket so be aware.

I go to Panama City Beach twice a year with my 5'er. If you are going to Panama City I would agree with 231, but if the Beach 231 brings you in on the wrong side of the Hathaway bridge and you have a bunch of traffic to get to the Beach side.

Go south on I65 to exit 114 and turn left on hwy 60. After a little over a mile the road makes a wide highway speed turn to the right and you are now on hwy 55. Stay on hwy 55 all the way to Florala, AL where you turn right on hwy 331. Stay on 331 past I10 and turn left on hwy 20 (331 south of 20 across the bay is under construction). Stay on 20 to hwy 79 where you will turn right to US98. Turn left on 98 to Panama City Beach.

All of this route after you leave I65 is either very nice two lane or 4 lane but non limited access. Other than Andalusia and you go around it there are no big towns and I have always had little traffic on this route.

Enjoy.

I prefer 331, yes Dolthan has a lot of lights and slow traffic, as well as some of the other small towns on 231. Good Luck

I've read there are a lot of traffic lights around Dothan on US-231 so am wondering if that's something to avoid...?

Jim

stay with us 231.

If you are going to Panama City Beach, I drove 231 to Troy and then took 87 to 167 around Enterprise to the Florida line where it becomes 79 all the way to Panama City Beach (Hwy 98). Lot of two lane road, but when I went that route in November, the traffic was relatively light and the road was in good condition. This route avoids Ozark and Dothan. I think the route you take should probably be dictated by whether you are going to Panama City or Panama City Beach.

seadogjim wrote:
Hi,
Driving a Class A w/towd, is US-231 better than US-331/98? Or, are the routes south out of Troy,AL,(hwy 87 to 81 or 167 to 79) preferable?
Not familiar with the area so would appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Jim

I used to drive US231 from Montgomery to I-10 twice a year. last time was 2-years ago and it was a good road at that time. the only challenge will be if you hit Dothan at rush hour but 231 thru town is 3-lanes + turn lanes thru towns. otherwise you should have no trouble. haven't been on 87/81 or 167/79.

hint: take I-85 north towards Atlanta to exit 9 (US 271). then head south on 271 for about 5-miles until it dead ends into US231. doing that allows you to by-pass all sorts of traffic and stop lights.