Origin
Dubuque, IA
Morning in Dubuque on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
91.1 mi
147 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Waterloo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 91.1-mile journey from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just under 2 hours to complete. You'll primarily navigate through the Midwest region on roads like Dodge Street and I-380. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this drive is quite economical. The route offers a straightforward connection between two Iowa cities, making it a practical option for local travel. Given its short duration, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for a flexible schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.6 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 51m. Total distance: 91.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (3%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a driving experience that's a bit more involved than a pure interstate cruise, with a 67% highway share. The profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a mix of faster highway sections and more frequent turns on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87 miles on Dodge Street, indicating a substantial portion of the drive is on this main artery before transitioning. This blend means you'll need to stay engaged, as the road character shifts throughout the 1 hour and 51 minute trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 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. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 51m with 3% 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 87.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 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
3
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IA 946 / Locust Street Conn
Turn right onto IA 946 / Locust Street Conn
Navigation decision point
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
3
91.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
West 4th Street
Turn left onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Street | 87 mi | 1h 43m |
| I 380 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Locust Street Conn | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 4th Street | <0.1 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 Waterloo, 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
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
7
Turn left onto West 4th Street
398 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 4th Street
8
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 91.1-mile drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Leaving anytime should work well, as the total duration is only 1 hour and 51 minutes. Since there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is a low $14, you can easily complete this trip without needing to plan extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your navigation as you approach Waterloo, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be making several turns into the city. This route is ideal for a spontaneous trip or a quick errand between Dubuque and Waterloo.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 45.6 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 55m 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.6 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dubuque, IA
This is one driving day of about 91.1 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Dubuque, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 45.6 mi from Dubuque, IA · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.6 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 Waterloo, IA
The final approach into Waterloo, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.24 one way
$28.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.64 | $31.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.53 | $35.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.11 | $40.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.57 | $4.37 |
| Efficient EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.97 | $3.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.75 | $5.83 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Morning in Waterloo on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
21 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
1h 51m 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 Waterloo, IA covers 91.1 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dodge Street, I 380, Washington Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.6 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 $14.24 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.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 51m with 3% 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 87.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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