Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
179.8 mi
289 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Altoona, IA covers 179.8 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 61 South, US 30 West, 16th Avenue Southwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.31 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
89.9 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 34m drive with frequent turns across 179.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Altoona, IA is easy. At 3h 34m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dubuque, IA to Altoona, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 30 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 73rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lincoln Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IA 330 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grant Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Altoona, IA.
Start on Central Avenue
Take the ramp straight toward US 61 South, US 151 South
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right
Turn left
Turn right
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
Continue on 73rd Street
Continue on Lincoln Highway
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
Take the exit slight left
Turn left onto Grant Street South
At the end of the road, turn right onto Grant Street South
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
Continue on 1st Avenue North
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North
Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 179.8 miles and 3h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.9 mi from Dubuque, IA · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 89.9 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Altoona, 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 Altoona, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.31 one way
$54.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.11 | $60.21 |
| premium | $4.80 | $33.94 | $67.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.95 | $79.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.88 | $8.63 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.73 | $7.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.51 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Dubuque on Sunday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Cedar Rapids, IA
90 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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