Origin
Algona, IA
Late night in Algona on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Algona, IA to Dubuque, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
230 mi
370 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 43m
8 AM
5h 10m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Algona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Algona, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 230 miles and takes about 4h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, Lincoln Avenue, South Phillips Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 184.6 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.96 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115 miles from Algona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 42m highway drive covering 230 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and Lincoln Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 184.6 miles on US 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 184.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Lincoln Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 44.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 42m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 229.5 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 229.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
44.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Turn left toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
229.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
|
US 61; US 151
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
229.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
5
230 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
|
East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
5
230 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
|
Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 184.6 mi | 3h 36m |
| Lincoln Avenue | 30.1 mi | 41m |
| South Phillips Street | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| US Highway 169 | 4 mi | 5m |
| 13th Street South | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 13th Street North | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 120th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East McGregor Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 184.6 mi, about 3h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Algona, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on US 169
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Jones Street
2
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East McGregor Street
3
Turn right onto US 169
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Phillips Street
4
Continue on US 169
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 169
5
Continue on US 169
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Phillips Street
6
Continue on US 169
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
120th Avenue
7
Continue on US 169
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
8
Continue on US 169
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
13th Street North
9
Continue on US 169
377 ft
·
8 sec
·
Lincoln Avenue
10
Continue on US 169
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
13th Street South
11
Continue on US 169
19 mi
·
25 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
12
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 20 East
13
Merge onto US 20
103 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
US 20
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
US 20
15
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
IA 946
Toward IA 946
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
19
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
20
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
21
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
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 115 miles from Algona, IA, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.6 miles.
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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 52m
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 Algona, 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 Algona, IA
This is one driving day of about 230 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Algona, 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.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 184.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115 mi from Algona, IA · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115 miles from Algona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 184.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.96 one way
$71.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $39.48 | $78.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $44.26 | $88.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.78 | $101.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69 | 0 | $24.15 | $11.04 |
| Efficient EV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.13 | $9.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92 | 1 | $32.20 | $14.72 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Late night in Dubuque on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
115 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
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Algona, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 230 miles and takes about 4h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, Lincoln Avenue, South Phillips Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115 miles from Algona, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.96 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 42m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 229.5 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 229.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Algona, IA to Dubuque, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dubuque, IA
More from Algona, IA
More trips to Dubuque, IA
Explore more options from Algona, IA or browse trips ending in Dubuque, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Algona, IA or Dubuque, IA on MapSof.net.