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Trip from Dubuque, IA to Garner, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

194.2 mi

313 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

17 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Dubuque, Iowa, United States

Dubuque, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Garner, IA, IA

Garner, IA

Jay's Photography

Trip Overview

The drive from Dubuque, IA to Garner, IA covers 194.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m 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 $30.36 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

97.1 miles from Dubuque, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dodge Street 87 mi 1h 43m
Avenue of the Saints 82.5 mi 1h 35m
US 18 11.6 mi 16m
I 380 5.6 mi 7m
Leo P Rooff Expressway 2.1 mi 2m
West Washington Street 1.3 mi 1m
4th Avenue South 1.2 mi 1m
US 218 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dodge Street — 87 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Garner, 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

12 mi · 16 min · US 18
17

Turn left onto State Street

0.2 mi · 42 sec · State Street
18

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

69 ft · 1 sec · East 3rd Street
19

Arrive at destination

East 3rd Street

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 97.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 57m 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 43 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 97.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garner, 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 194.2 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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.

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Falls, IA

97 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

Mechanicsville, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dodge Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dubuque, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Dubuque, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 138.7

Charles City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 194.2

Garner, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 138.7

Charles City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 111

Shell Rock, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 180.3

Mason City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 194.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...
5
194.2 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in | East 3rd Street

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.36 one way

$60.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $33.34 $66.67
premium $4.89 $37.37 $74.74
diesel $5.61 $42.88 $85.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

17 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: 3 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 $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.3 0 $20.39 $9.32
Efficient EV 48.6 0 $16.99 $7.77
EV Truck/SUV 77.7 0 $27.19 $12.43

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Dubuque, IA

Afternoon in Dubuque on Saturday

Local time

12:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Garner, IA

Afternoon in Garner on Saturday

Local time

12:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

24 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

3h 54m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 3h 54m drive with frequent turns across 194.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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?

4/10

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.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 54m drive. You will face about 12 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dubuque, IA and Garner, 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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 194.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (11%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dubuque, IA to Garner, IA covers 194.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m 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 97.1 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 $30.36 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.

This is a straightforward 3h 54m drive. You will face about 12 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 Garner, IA, road signs point toward Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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