Origin
Dubuque, IA
Late night in Dubuque on Wednesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Spencer, IA
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
282.8 mi
455 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Spencer, IA
Jonas Horsch
Trip Overview
This 282.8-mile journey from Dubuque, IA to Spencer, IA is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. You'll spend about 16% of your time on highways, with the majority of the drive being on local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, this Midwest to Midwest route offers a straightforward travel experience. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a need for attentive navigation. Given the duration, planning for a single day is practical, but you could also comfortably split it if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
141.4 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the majority of this 282.8-mile route. While only 16% of the journey is on highways, you'll encounter longer stretches of continuous driving, including one segment of 147.7 miles primarily on the Avenue of the Saints. This suggests a route that winds through local communities and varied terrain rather than a consistent interstate experience. Be prepared for more frequent adjustments in direction as you navigate between main roads like Dodge Street and US 71.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 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 147.7 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
This is a straightforward 5h 43m 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 (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 235.4 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
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
5
235.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
|
US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm...
5
235.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
|
US 71
Turn right onto US 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
281.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 39m in
|
4th Avenue Southwest
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dubuque, IA to Spencer, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Storm Lake along the way.
Storm Lake
235.4 mi in
|
~4h 35m
|
via US 71
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 147.7 mi | 2h 50m |
| Dodge Street | 87 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 71 | 45.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| 11th Street Southwest | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Grand Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 4th Avenue Southwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 4th Street Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Locust Street Conn | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 147.7 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Spencer, 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
148 mi
·
2 hr 50 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit onto US 71
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 71
Toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm Lake
7
Turn right onto US 71
45 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 71
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto US 71
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Street Southwest
9
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
4th Avenue Southwest
10
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
4th Street Southwest
11
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Grand Avenue
12
Turn right onto East 4th Street
70 ft
·
1 sec
·
East 4th Street
13
Arrive at destination
East 4th Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Dubuque to maximize your daylight hours, especially since it's a one-day trip. With only one recommended stop on the route, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed. Pay close attention to navigation due to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive, particularly on the longest stretch of 147.7 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $44, and ensure you're topped up before heading into less populated areas. The 16% highway share means you'll be on more local roads where speed limits can vary.
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 141.4 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.7 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 141.4 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spencer, 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 282.8 miles and 5h 43m.
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 147.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141.4 mi from Dubuque, IA · 2h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 141.4 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 147.7 miles.
Arriving in Spencer, IA
The final approach into Spencer, 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 Spencer, 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
$44.21 one way
$88.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $48.54 | $97.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $54.42 | $108.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.44 | $124.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.8 | 1 | $29.69 | $13.57 |
| Efficient EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.75 | $11.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.1 | 1 | $39.59 | $18.10 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Spencer, IA
Late night in Spencer on Wednesday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
141 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
2 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
5h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Spencer, IA covers 282.8 miles and takes about 5h 43m 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, US 71. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.4 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 $44.21 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 43m 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 (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 235.4 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dubuque, IA to Spencer, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Storm Lake along the way.
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