When Dusty and I first started daydreaming about road trips together, Alabama was always the one that lingered in the air. We’d travelled to New Orleans once before—a fast-paced dash that left us hungry for more—but this time, we wanted something slower, rooted, and a little closer to home. Alabama was Dusty’s backyard, and if we were going to chase history and backroads together, that’s where the journey had to begin.
Planning the route from Orlando, Florida to Dothan, Alabama was already on my bucket list, but I wasn’t looking for the fastest freeway. I wanted river crossings, roadside whispers, and little pockets of Southern history tucked between the miles. The Roadtrippers app became my co-pilot for mapping quirky stops and small-town surprises, though I left plenty of space for serendipity—and for Murph to work his mischief.
- Start Point: Orlando, FL
- Destination: Dothan, AL
- Drive Time (no stops): About 5.5 to 6 hours
- Drive Time (with stops): A full day – or two if you wander like us
Our goal was simple: get to Dothan by nightfall. But if the road is offering up haunted bridges and riverside picnics, why not stop and listen?
Stop #1: US Arsenal – A Fortress Turned Forgotten Landmark
Our first pause came in Chattahoochee, Florida, where the US Arsenal – Officers’ Headquarters still stands watch. Built in the early 1800s, this old military outpost has seen soldiers, Seminole Wars, and even time as a state prison. Most of the arsenal is gone, but the Headquarters building remains—a reminder of a time when Florida was still wild and shifting.
It was the perfect stretch-your-legs stop, though I later learned there’s more here than we realized at first glance.
Lesson Learned: always give yourself time for a quick Google detour—you never know what stories you’re standing on.
Stop #2: River Landing Park – Where Rivers Whisper and Time Slows
Less than ten minutes down the road, the rivers called us to stop again. River Landing Park sits right where the Apalachicola and Flint Rivers meet, shaded by cypress and kissed by a steady breeze. It’s the kind of place where locals picnic, fish, or just watch the boats glide past.
We grabbed a break here—caffeine, cameras, and a moment to just be before chasing the next mile.
- Address: 655 Park Street, Chattahoochee, FL
- Tip: Bring a picnic blanket. The grass begs for it.
Stop #3: Victory Bridge – A Crossing of Counties and Memories
Bridges are more than steel and stone—they’re connectors of places, people, and moments. The Victory Bridge over the Apalachicola River links Gadsden and Jackson Counties, and though it’s easy to fly across without noticing, we made a point to pause.
The best views are from River Landing Park below, where you can see the light scatter across the water and catch your breath beneath the modern span.
Stop #4: Jim Woodruff Dam – Where Waters Collide
A little farther west, the Jim Woodruff Dam marks the place where the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers join forces to form the Apalachicola. Standing at the overlook, you can feel the power of it—a place where waters and states meet, Florida on one side, Georgia on the other.
This stop offered more than a view. Signs told stories of the dam’s construction, its impact on local communities, and the way it shaped Lake Seminole. Birdsong echoed around us, and Dusty swore she spotted a heron.
- Address: 801 River Road, Chattahoochee, FL
- Pro tip: pack binoculars—this place is a birder’s dream.
Stop #5: Bellamy Bridge – Florida’s Haunted Heartbeat
No road trip with me is complete without a ghost story, and the Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail in Marianna delivered. Local legend says Elizabeth Bellamy still haunts the iron bridge, her spirit caught between love and loss. The half-mile trail winds through forest to the old structure, its silhouette stark against the trees.
We didn’t see a ghost that day, but we felt the weight of it—history, myth, and memory twined together in the quiet. Whether you believe in spirits or not, Bellamy is a bridge that lingers with you.
- Address: 4057 Bellamy Bridge Road, Marianna, FL
- Note: The trail gets muddy after rain—wear sturdy shoes.
Echo’s Corner: A Bridge Between Worlds
Local lore says Elizabeth Bellamy died tragically in the 1830s, her wedding dress catching fire. Her grief-stricken spirit is said to wander the riverbanks, her gown glowing faintly on moonlit nights. Skeptic or believer, there’s no denying the air around Bellamy feels heavy with stories.
Road Notes and Lessons Learned
- Fuel up in city centers: Backroads gas stations are rare.
- Snacks are non-negotiable: Dusty will vouch for my emergency peanut butter stash.
- Offline maps save the day: Cell service in the South tends to vanish when you need it most.
- Watch the weather: Rain comes fast, and low roads flood faster.
- Bring your soundtrack: Playlists and podcasts turn empty stretches into memory-making moments.
Day One Reflections
By the time we rolled into Dothan, Day One felt like more than just a drive. We’d crossed rivers, touched old stone, and brushed against a ghost story or two. It set the tone for everything to come: history, haunting, and heart—all stitched together on the open road.
This was only the beginning. Day Two was waiting with new stories to tell.
Ready to Plan Your Own Route?
- Download Roadtrippers (or grab a paper map if you’re old school like me).
- Pin these five stops—or discover your own.
- Don’t rush. The best parts of the journey live between the destinations.
With some planning, this drive becomes less of a long haul and more of a Southern adventure packed with small-town stories, river views, and local legends. Happy travels!
✨ Want to capture your own adventures?
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.