Dubuque, IA Road Trips

Sitting in the Midwest, Dubuque, IA is a local road trip base with 17 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 86-mile quick runs to 269-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Dubuque, IA head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Routes

17

Longest Drive

329.9 mi

Council Bluffs, IA

Quickest Drive

1h 28m

Clinton, IA

Plan Around Dubuque, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Dubuque, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Council Bluffs, IA to Dubuque, IA 329.9 mi · 5h 2m Sioux Center, IA to Dubuque, IA 327.1 mi · 5h 21m Osceola County, IA to Dubuque, IA 322.6 mi · 6h 37m Sheldon, IA to Dubuque, IA 318.1 mi · 5h 10m

Continue From Dubuque, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Dubuque, IA to Creston, IA 268.6 mi · 5h 22m Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA 188.9 mi · 3h 46m Dubuque, IA to Altoona, IA 179.8 mi · 3h 34m Dubuque, IA to Burlington, IA 151.8 mi · 3h

Trips from Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, IA to Creston, IA

268.6 mi 5h 22m

Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA

188.9 mi 3h 46m

Dubuque, IA to Altoona, IA

179.8 mi 3h 34m

Dubuque, IA to Burlington, IA

151.8 mi 3h

Dubuque, IA to Coralville, IA

86.3 mi 1h 53m

Driving from Dubuque, IA

Expect an average of 175 miles and about 3h 31m behind the wheel when leaving Dubuque, IA. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 269 miles (5h 22m), while the shortest is just 86 miles.

Popular Destinations

The most popular drives from Dubuque, IA include Creston, IA (268.6 mi, 5h 22m), Des Moines, IA (188.9 mi, 3h 46m), Altoona, IA (179.8 mi, 3h 34m), Burlington, IA (151.8 mi, 3h), and Coralville, IA (86.3 mi, 1h 53m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 175-mile trip from Dubuque, IA, budget about $26 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 5 mapped routes leaving Dubuque, IA and 12 routes heading into Dubuque, IA, covering 17 total connections. Distances range from 86 to 269 miles.

The longest mapped route from Dubuque, IA covers 269 miles and takes approximately 5h 22m. Shorter options start at just 86 miles.

The average route from Dubuque, IA runs about 175 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 31m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 175-mile trip from Dubuque, IA costs roughly $26 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Dubuque, IA include Creston, IA, Des Moines, IA, Altoona, IA and Burlington, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.