Origin
Dubuque, IA
Morning in Dubuque on Thursday
Local time
11:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Fairfield, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
168 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Fairfield, IA
Daniel Dorfer
Trip Overview
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Fairfield, IA covers 168 miles and takes about 3h 19m 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, Lincoln Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.26 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
84 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 168 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 19m drive with frequent turns across 168 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 South is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Fairfield, IA is easy. At 3h 19m 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 Fairfield, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 South | — | — |
| US 30 West | — | — |
| Lincoln Freeway | — | — |
| I 380 South | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| US 34 | — | — |
| East Burlington Avenue | — | — |
| North B Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 61 South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Fairfield, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp straight toward US 61 South, US 151 South
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Continue straight
5.6 mi
·
7 min
4
Take the exit slight right
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
5
Turn left
7.5 mi
·
9 min
6
Keep slight right to continue on US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
7
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Freeway
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Lincoln Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
9
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
67 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
10
Keep slight right
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
11
Take the exit right
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
12
Merge slight left
19 mi
·
22 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 Business West
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 34 Business West
14
Turn right onto East Burlington Avenue
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Burlington Avenue
15
Turn right onto North B Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North B Street
16
Turn left onto East Briggs Avenue
413 ft
·
20 sec
·
East Briggs Avenue
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 84 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 39m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 168 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84 mi from Dubuque, IA · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fairfield, IA
The final approach into Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.26 one way
$52.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.84 | $57.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.33 | $64.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.70 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Fairfield, IA
Morning in Fairfield on Thursday
Local time
11:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
4 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
3h 19m 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 Fairfield, IA covers 168 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 61 South, US 30 West, Lincoln Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84 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 $26.26 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Fairfield, IA is easy. At 3h 19m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dubuque, IA to Fairfield, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dubuque, IA to Fairfield, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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