Trip from Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA

Drive Time

3h 46m

Distance

188.9 mi

304 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Dubuque to Des Moines, this 188.9-mile journey across Iowa is a straightforward trek that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 46 minutes behind the wheel, making it an efficient way to cross the state. With a fuel budget of approximately $29, this trip is quite economical for solo drivers or families alike. Because the route stays entirely within the Midwest, you will experience consistent regional landscapes throughout your drive. Whether you are heading to the capital for business or a change of scenery, this one-day itinerary offers a practical transition between these two distinct Iowa hubs.

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

94.4 miles from Dubuque, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

This mixed-drive route balances fast-paced highway segments with more moderate travel, keeping the experience varied for the driver. With 46% of the trip spent on highways, you will encounter a blend of traffic patterns as you navigate US 151, the Lincoln Highway, and Marshalltown Boulevard. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, covering 58.1 miles on US 151 before the road character shifts. The transition from the corridors of eastern Iowa toward the central part of the state provides a steady rhythm without becoming overly monotonous. Expect a functional drive that requires your focus as you move between these primary thoroughfares.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 151 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 188.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.8 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

178.8 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in | US 65

Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

183.3 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Take the exit toward I 235 West: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines

187.9 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 8B Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...

188.2 mi into trip | ~3h 44m in

Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.

Marshalltown

79.3 mi in | ~1h 35m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 151	58.1 mi	1h 7m
Lincoln Highway	37.3 mi	43m
Marshalltown Boulevard	33.7 mi	39m
73rd Street	24.4 mi	28m
IA 100	15.2 mi	18m
US 61	5.6 mi	7m
US 65	4.5 mi	5m
John MacVicar Freeway	4 mi	5m

Longest stretch: US 151 — 58.1 mi, about 1h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Des Moines, IA.

Start on Central Avenue

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Central Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 189A Toward US 61 South, US 151 South

Continue on US 61; US 151

5.6 mi · 7 min · US 61; US 151

Take the exit onto US 151

57 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US 151

Turn left onto US 151; IA 13

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 151; IA 13

Turn right onto IA 100

15 mi · 18 min · IA 100

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

Merge onto US 30; US 218

2.4 mi · 2 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

Continue on US 30; US 218

24 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

Continue on US 30

37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

Turn left onto IA 330

34 mi · 39 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

Continue on US 65; IA 330

0.7 mi · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

Take the exit onto US 65

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 65

Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 137A Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the slight left lane.

Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

4.0 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Toward I 235 West: Des Moines Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 8B Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

Turn left onto East University Avenue

100 ft · 8 sec · East University Avenue

Arrive at destination

East University Avenue

Trip Plan

To keep your 3-hour and 46-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least one scheduled stop to break up the journey. Leaving in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion, especially when transitioning onto the busier segments of Marshalltown Boulevard. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $29, you can easily manage your budget by topping off your tank before you leave Dubuque. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or your own energy levels. Keep a close watch on your odometer during that initial 58.1-mile stretch on US 151 to gauge your progress effectively before hitting the mid-route transition.

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 94.4 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 94.4 miles or 1h 53m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, 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 188.9 miles and 3h 46m.

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 US 151 for about 58.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.4 mi from Dubuque, IA · 1h 53m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Rapids, IA

94 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

Cedar Rapids, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.4 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Des Moines, IA

The final approach into Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, 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

$28.69 one way

$57.38 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$31.63	$63.26
premium	$4.80	$35.66	$71.32
diesel	$5.64	$41.97	$83.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.7	$19.83	$9.07
Efficient EV	47.2	$16.53	$7.56
EV Truck/SUV	75.6	$26.45	$12.09

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Dubuque, IA

Afternoon in Dubuque on Sunday

Local time

1:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Des Moines, IA

Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday

Local time

1:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°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

7 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 46m 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 Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 188.9 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 151, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 94.4 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 $28.69 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.

On the drive from Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.

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Trip from Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Des Moines, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dubuque, IA

Des Moines, IA

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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