Dubuque, IA to New Hampton, IA is 129.7 miles and takes about 2h 41m via Dodge Street, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically within Iowa, making it a straightforward local journey. Expect a route that involves frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway, so keep your navigation handy. With a short duration and manageable fuel cost, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
64.9 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 129.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with a 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating primarily on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82 miles along Dodge Street, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. As you progress, expect the road to be less about high-speed travel and more about engaging with the local road network. This type of drive requires more active navigation and awareness of your surroundings compared to interstate travel. The focus here is on the journey through local Iowa landscapes rather than covering distance quickly.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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 82 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to New Hampton, IA is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles (IA 946 / Locust Street Conn): Navigation decision point; at 82.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These 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
3
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|IA 946 / Locust Street Conn
Turn right onto IA 946 / Locust Street Conn
Navigation decision point
3
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
126.6 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|235th Street
Turn right onto 235th Street
Navigation decision point
4
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|McCloud Avenue
Turn left onto McCloud Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dodge Street
82 mi
1h 37m
Larrabee Avenue
26.3 mi
30m
Logan Avenue
8.7 mi
11m
Dubuque Road
5.4 mi
7m
McCloud Avenue
1.9 mi
3m
Franklin Street
1.4 mi
2m
South Linn Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
East Mullan Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dodge Street
— 82 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and New Hampton, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward 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
82 mi·1 hr 37 min·Dodge Street
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
6
Turn right onto CR V49
0.4 mi·32 sec·South Raymond Road
7
Continue on CR V49
0.5 mi·42 sec·South 3rd Street
8
Turn left onto CR D22
5.4 mi·7 min·Dubuque Road
9
Continue on Franklin Street
1.4 mi·2 min·Franklin Street
10
Turn right onto US 63
465 ft·13 sec·East 1st Street
11
Continue on US 63
0.8 mi·1 min·East Mullan Avenue
12
Continue on US 63
8.7 mi·11 min·Logan Avenue
13
Continue on US 63
26 mi·30 min·Larrabee Avenue
14
Turn right onto 235th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·235th Street
15
Turn left onto McCloud Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·McCloud Avenue
16
Continue on US 63 Business
1.1 mi·1 min·South Linn Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
US 63 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 41m duration, this is easily a same-day trip, so you can leave whenever is most convenient for you. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $20, you won't need extensive planning. Consider departing in the morning to allow for flexibility in case of unexpected delays or if you decide to take a brief detour. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this drive means paying close attention to your GPS or map is crucial, especially during that longest 82-mile stretch on Dodge Street. Ensure you have sufficient fuel before you begin, as navigating local roads can sometimes lead to less frequent gas stations compared to major highways.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.9 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.9 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Hampton, 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 129.7 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 82 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.9 mi from Dubuque, IA
· 1h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 64.9 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New Hampton, IA
The final approach into New Hampton, 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 New Hampton, IA.
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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.28 one way
$40.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.26
$44.53
premium
$4.89
$24.96
$49.92
diesel
$5.61
$28.64
$57.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
EV Truck/SUV
51.9
0
$18.16
$8.30
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Dubuque, IA
Morning
in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
10:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New Hampton, IA
Morning
in New Hampton on Saturday
Local time
10:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
22 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
2h 41m 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 New Hampton, IA covers 129.7 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dodge Street, Larrabee Avenue, Logan Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.9 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 $20.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to New Hampton, IA is easy. At 2h 41m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.4 miles (IA 946 / Locust Street Conn): Navigation decision point; at 82.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Dubuque, IA to New Hampton, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
