Origin
Dubuque, IA
Morning in Dubuque on Monday
Local time
7:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Algona, IA
Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
227.6 mi
366 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
18 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 27m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Algona, IA
Tara Winstead
Trip Overview
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Algona, IA covers 227.6 miles and takes about 4h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dodge Street, Avenue of the Saints, US 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 87 miles on Dodge Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.57 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
113.8 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 40m drive with frequent turns across 227.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dodge Street is the longest continuous segment at about 87 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 40m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.2 miles (US 218): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 61 South, US 151 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 189A
Toward US 61 South, US 151 South
6
87.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
97.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
US 218
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
5
180.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
I 35 Business
Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason...
4
180.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Turn left onto I 35 Business / 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Dubuque, IA and Algona, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
Cr B35: Clear Lake
180.2 mi in
|
~3h 33m
|
via I 35 Business
Mason City
180.2 mi in
|
~3h 33m
|
via I 35 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Street | 87 mi | 1h 43m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 82.5 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 18 | 38.6 mi | 53m |
| I 380 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| 210th Street | 4 mi | 5m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| West Washington Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East McGregor Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dodge Street
— 87 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Algona, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Turn right onto IA 946
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Locust Street Conn
4
Turn right onto US 20
87 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Dodge Street
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Washington Expressway
7
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi
·
51 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
8
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
9
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
10
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 218
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
12
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
13
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
14
Turn left onto I 35 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
15
Turn right onto I 35 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 8th Street
16
Turn left onto US 18
39 mi
·
53 min
·
US 18
17
Turn left onto 210th Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Avenue
18
Turn right onto 210th Street
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
210th Street
19
Continue on East McGregor Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East McGregor Street
20
Turn right onto South Jones Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Jones Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 169
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 113.8 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, IA
This is one driving day of about 227.6 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dubuque, 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 Dodge Street for about 87 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113.8 mi from Dubuque, IA · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 113.8 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dodge Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87 miles.
Arriving in Algona, IA
The final approach into Algona, 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 Algona, 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
$34.57 one way
$69.14 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.11 | $76.22 |
| premium | $4.80 | $42.97 | $85.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $50.56 | $101.13 |
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: 79.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger
Dubuque, IA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hy-Vee Waterloo - Tesla Supercharger
Waterloo, IA
Tesla
8 DCFC
Mcgrath Hyundai Dubuque
Dubuque, IA
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Victory Ford
Dyersville, IA
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Waterloo Hy-Vee
Waterloo, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
225 Commercial St
Waterloo, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
Roling Ford
Shell Rock, IA
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Kwik Star 419 Charles City
Charles City, IA
CHARGELAB
4 DCFC
Blink Network: 4
EV Connect: 4
CHARGELAB: 3
Tesla: 2
Non-Networked: 2
FORD_CHARGE: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
eVgo Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.90 | $10.92 |
| Efficient EV | 56.9 | 0 | $19.92 | $9.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91 | 1 | $31.86 | $14.57 |
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
Algona, IA
Morning in Algona on Monday
Local time
7:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
114 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
11 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
4h 40m 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 Dubuque, IA to Algona, IA covers 227.6 miles and takes about 4h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dodge Street, Avenue of the Saints, US 18. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.8 miles from Dubuque, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.57 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 40m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.2 miles (US 218): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dubuque, IA and Algona, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.
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