Origin
Adel, IA
Morning in Adel on Saturday
Local time
8:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Adel, IA to Dubuque, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
220.8 mi
355 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Adel, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Adel, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 220.8 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Greene Street, 290th Street, Grand Army of the Republic Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
110.4 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 220.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 27m drive with frequent turns across 220.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Greene Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 27m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Dubuque, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Greene Street | — | — |
| 290th Street | — | — |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | — | — |
| Hickman Road | — | — |
| I-35 north | — | — |
| US 6 West | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | — | — |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Greene Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on Nile Kinnick Drive South
16 ft
·
8 sec
·
Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto Greene Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Greene Street
3
Continue on 290th Street
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
290th Street
4
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
5
Continue on Hickman Road
9.3 mi
·
14 min
·
Hickman Road
6
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I-35 north, I-80 east
7
Merge slight left
10 mi
·
11 min
8
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
9
Continue straight
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
10
Keep slight left
4.5 mi
·
5 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
12
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
13
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
14
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
15
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
16
Continue on 73rd Street
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
18
Continue straight
9.4 mi
·
11 min
19
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
20
Turn left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
21
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Marion Airport Road
22
Continue on 200th Avenue
32 mi
·
37 min
·
200th Avenue
23
Keep slight left
5.1 mi
·
7 min
24
Keep slight left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
25
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
White Street, Port of Dubuque
26
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
27
Turn left onto East 7th Street
285 ft
·
20 sec
·
East 7th Street
28
Turn left onto Central Avenue
33 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 110.4 miles from Adel, IA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 49 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dubuque, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Adel, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 220.8 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Adel, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.4 mi from Adel, IA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.4 miles from Adel, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dubuque, IA
The final approach into Dubuque, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dubuque, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.52 one way
$69.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.90 | $75.80 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.49 | $84.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.75 | $97.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.3 | 1 | $30.91 | $14.13 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Morning in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
8:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
110 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Adel, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 220.8 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Greene Street, 290th Street, Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.4 miles from Adel, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.52 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 27m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Adel, IA to Dubuque, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Adel, IA to Dubuque, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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