Origin
Dubuque, IA
Afternoon in Dubuque on Monday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Sheldon, IA
Drive Time
6h 30m
Distance
319.6 mi
514 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 18m
★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 53m
8 PM
6h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Sheldon, IA
Jul L. G.
Trip Overview
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Sheldon, IA covers 319.6 miles and takes about 6h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, Dodge Street, 20th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 159.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.54 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
159.8 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 30m drive with frequent turns across 319.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 159.2 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
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 30m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 246.9 miles (CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
4
87.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
246.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m in
|
CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
288.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m in
|
IA 143 / Ames Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Ames Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
317.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 26m in
|
IA 60 Business
Take the exit onto IA 60 Business toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 159.2 mi | 3h 3m |
| Dodge Street | 87 mi | 1h 43m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 3 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| IA 60 | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| D Avenue | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Log Avenue | 5.5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 159.2 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Sheldon, 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 left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
159 mi
·
3 hr 3 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
6
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
7
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
8
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
9
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
10
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
11
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
12
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
State Highway 3
13
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 3
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 3
15
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
500th Street
16
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 3
17
Continue on IA 3
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
490th Street
18
Turn right onto IA 143
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Ames Avenue
19
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
D Avenue
20
Continue on IA 143
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Nettle Avenue
21
Turn left onto IA 10
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
460th Street
22
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Garfield Street
23
Continue on IA 10
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
460th Street
24
Turn right onto L22
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Log Avenue
25
Turn right onto IA 60
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
IA 60
26
Take the exit onto IA 60 Business
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
IA 60 Business
Toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
27
Turn left onto IA 60 Business
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Avenue
28
Turn right onto 9th Street
25 ft
·
0 sec
·
9th Street
29
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.8 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.2 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 159.8 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sheldon, 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 319.6 miles and 6h 30m.
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 Avenue of the Saints for about 159.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.8 mi from Dubuque, IA · 3h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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 159.8 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.2 miles.
Arriving in Sheldon, IA
The final approach into Sheldon, 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 Sheldon, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.54 one way
$97.09 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $53.51 | $107.03 |
| premium | $4.80 | $60.33 | $120.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.00 | $142.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.56 | $15.34 |
| Efficient EV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.8 | 1 | $44.74 | $20.45 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% 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
Sheldon, IA
Afternoon in Sheldon on Monday
Local time
4:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°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
12 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
6h 30m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Sheldon, IA covers 319.6 miles and takes about 6h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Dodge Street, 20th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 159.8 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 $48.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 30m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 246.9 miles (CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Dubuque, IA to Sheldon, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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