Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
200.3 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Same-day tripSame Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 200.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m 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 $29.74 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
100.1 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 3m drive with frequent turns across 200.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| 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 |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Des Moines, 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
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn left onto East University Avenue
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.1 miles or 1h 31m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, 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 200.3 miles and 3h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.1 mi from Dubuque, IA · 1h 31m into the drive
Late stop town
Meal stop
100 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 100.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.74 one way
$59.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.54 | $67.08 |
| premium | $4.65 | $36.70 | $73.40 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $41.83 | $83.65 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals (1 day)
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.1 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
3:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
3:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
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.
Explore more options from Dubuque, IA or browse trips ending in Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Dubuque, IA or Des Moines, IA on MapSof.net.