Origin
Dubuque, IA
Morning in Dubuque on Monday
Local time
6:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Osage, IA
Drive Time
3h 18m
Distance
162.2 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Osage, IA
Alexey Demidov
Trip Overview
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Osage, IA covers 162.2 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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, Monroe Street 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 $24.64 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
81.1 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 18m drive with frequent turns across 162.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 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 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 3h 18m drive. You will face about 9 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 9 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
146.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 218 north, CR T44: Floyd
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 north, CR T44: Floyd
4
158.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
|
US 218; IA 9 / County Road T42
Turn left onto US 218; IA 9 / County Road T42
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Dubuque, IA to Osage, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cr T44: Floyd along the way.
Cr T44: Floyd
146.6 mi in
|
~2h 55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Street | 87 mi | 1h 43m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 49 mi | 56m |
| Monroe Street | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| I 380 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| County Road T42 | 3 mi | 4m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| West Washington Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 1 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 Osage, 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
·
32 sec
·
US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Turn right onto Locust Street Conn
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Locust Street Conn
4
Turn right onto Dodge Street
87 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Dodge Street
5
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
Continue on West Washington Expressway
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Washington Expressway
7
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
0.7 mi
·
52 sec
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
8
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
9
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
10
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
11
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
12
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
49 mi
·
56 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 north, CR T44: Floyd
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
US 218 north, CR T44: Floyd
14
Turn right onto Monroe Street
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Monroe Street
15
Turn left onto County Road T42
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road T42
16
Continue on Main Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
17
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 81.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 37m 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 81.1 miles or 1h 37m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osage, 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 162.2 miles and 3h 18m.
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 81.1 mi from Dubuque, IA · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 81.1 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 Osage, IA
The final approach into Osage, 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 Osage, 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
$24.64 one way
$49.27 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $27.16 | $54.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $30.62 | $61.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.04 | $72.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.03 | $7.79 |
| Efficient EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.19 | $6.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.71 | $10.38 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Osage, IA
Morning in Osage on Monday
Local time
6:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
81 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
5 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 18m 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 Osage, IA covers 162.2 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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, Monroe Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.1 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 $24.64 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 18m drive. You will face about 9 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.
On the drive from Dubuque, IA to Osage, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cr T44: Floyd along the way.
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