Origin
Council Bluffs, IA
Afternoon in Council Bluffs on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Council Bluffs, IA to Dubuque, IA
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
329.9 mi
531 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
Spanning 329.9 miles across the heart of Iowa, this cross-state trek from Council Bluffs to Dubuque typically takes around 5 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. While you could technically complete this journey in a single day, the route's turn-heavy nature makes it a full commitment for any traveler. Budget approximately $49 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest cities. Since the route relies on local roads like West Broadway and West Kanesville Boulevard rather than a straight interstate shot, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. It serves as an efficient connection if you are looking to traverse the state, though you should factor in extra time for the winding local stretches.
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
164.9 miles from Council Bluffs, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a distinct change of pace compared to standard interstate travel, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including West Broadway and West Kanesville Boulevard, creating a turn-heavy environment that demands your constant attention. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West Broadway, you will find yourself constantly adjusting to the flow of local traffic. This drive is far from a monotonous highway grind; instead, it offers a technical, localized feel that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. The journey evolves as you move away from Council Bluffs, requiring a steady focus as you navigate the turns that define this interior Iowa path.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Broadway 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.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 2m 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 Council Bluffs, IA to Dubuque, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Broadway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Kanesville Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lincoln Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 73rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Broadway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on West Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway
2
Continue on West Broadway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway
3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
West Kanesville Boulevard
4
Take the ramp slight left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
5
Merge slight left
114 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
7
Keep slight left
4.5 mi
·
5 min
8
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
9
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
10
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
11
Take the exit right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
12
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
13
Continue on 73rd Street
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
15
Continue straight
9.4 mi
·
11 min
16
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
17
Turn left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
18
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Marion Airport Road
19
Continue on 200th Avenue
32 mi
·
37 min
·
200th Avenue
20
Keep slight left
5.1 mi
·
7 min
21
Keep slight left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
22
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
White Street, Port of Dubuque
23
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
24
Turn left onto East 7th Street
285 ft
·
20 sec
·
East 7th Street
25
Turn left onto Central Avenue
33 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
26
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip requires a smart approach to pacing, especially since the lack of high-speed highway segments can make the 5-hour drive feel longer than the clock suggests. Aim to schedule at least one substantial stop to break up the navigation and rest your eyes from the constant turns. Given the $49 fuel estimate, keep an eye on your gauge while traversing local segments where service stations might be less frequent than on a major interstate. Since the route is entirely local, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak congestion on busier town thoroughfares. Most importantly, stay alert on West Broadway and West Kanesville Boulevard, as the heavy concentration of turns is the most demanding aspect of this specific journey.
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 164.9 miles from Council Bluffs, IA, or about 2h 31m 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 80 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.9 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
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 Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs, IA
This is one driving day of about 329.9 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Council Bluffs, 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 164.9 mi from Council Bluffs, IA · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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 164.9 miles from Council Bluffs, 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
$50.11 one way
$100.22 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
115 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $55.24 | $110.48 |
| premium | $4.80 | $62.28 | $124.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $73.29 | $146.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99 | 1 | $34.64 | $15.84 |
| Efficient EV | 82.5 | 0 | $28.87 | $13.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132 | 1 | $46.19 | $21.11 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Dubuque on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
5h 2m 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 Council Bluffs, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 329.9 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Broadway, West Kanesville Boulevard, I 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 164.9 miles from Council Bluffs, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.11 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 5h 2m 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 Council Bluffs, IA to Dubuque, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Council Bluffs, 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 trips to Dubuque, IA
Explore more options from Council Bluffs, IA or browse trips ending in Dubuque, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Council Bluffs, IA or Dubuque, IA on MapSof.net.