Origin
Dubuque, IA
Afternoon in Dubuque on Monday
Local time
3:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Atlantic, IA
Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
270.2 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 4m
★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 43m
8 PM
5h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Atlantic, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Atlantic, IA covers 270.2 miles and takes about 5h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 61 South, US 30 West, 16th Avenue Southwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.04 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
135.1 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 17m drive with frequent turns across 270.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 South 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 17m 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 Dubuque, IA to Atlantic, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 30 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 73rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lincoln Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IA 330 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
US 61 South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Atlantic, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp straight toward US 61 South, US 151 South
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Continue straight
5.6 mi
·
7 min
4
Take the exit slight right
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
5
Turn left
1.1 mi
·
1 min
6
Turn right
15 mi
·
19 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
8
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
9
Continue on 73rd Street
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
10
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
12
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
13
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi
·
15 min
·
I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
15
Continue straight
5.6 mi
·
6 min
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 80 West: Omaha
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
18
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
650th Street
19
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
20
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
266 ft
·
7 sec
·
Chestnut Street
21
Turn right
226 ft
·
17 sec
22
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 135.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 2h 38m 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.1 miles or 2h 38m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlantic, 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 270.2 miles and 5h 17m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.1 mi from Dubuque, IA · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 135.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atlantic, IA
The final approach into Atlantic, 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 Atlantic, 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
$41.04 one way
$82.08 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $45.24 | $90.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $51.01 | $102.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.03 | $120.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.37 | $12.97 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.64 | $10.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.1 | 1 | $37.83 | $17.29 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Atlantic, IA
Afternoon in Atlantic on Monday
Local time
3:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
25 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
5h 17m 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 Atlantic, IA covers 270.2 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 61 South, US 30 West, 16th Avenue Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.1 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 $41.04 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 17m 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 Dubuque, IA to Atlantic, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dubuque, IA to Atlantic, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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