Origin
Dubuque, IA
Afternoon in Dubuque on Thursday
Local time
12:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dubuque, IA to Ottumwa, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
178.2 mi
287 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ottumwa, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Ottumwa, IA covers 178.2 miles and takes about 3h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 151, State Highway 149, I 80 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.9 miles on US 151. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.86 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
89.1 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 178.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 42m highway drive covering 178.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 151 and State Highway 149. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.9 miles on US 151.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 151 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and State Highway 149. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 178.2 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles (US 151): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 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
6
70.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
US 151
Keep slight right at fork onto US 151 toward US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
5
77.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South:...
5
93.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
5
115.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward Merango, North English
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Merango, North English
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dubuque, IA and Ottumwa, IA, road signs point toward Airport, Merango and English.
Airport
77.2 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Merango
115.5 mi in
|
~2h 14m
English
115.5 mi in
|
~2h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 151 | 64.9 mi | 1h 16m |
| State Highway 149 | 41.3 mi | 57m |
| I 80 | 21.3 mi | 22m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 15.8 mi | 17m |
| M Avenue | 11.9 mi | 16m |
| Lincoln Freeway | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| US 61 | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Old US Highway 63 | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Ottumwa, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 189A
Toward US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Continue on US 61; US 151
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 61; US 151
4
Take the exit onto US 151
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 151
5
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 151; IA 13
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 151
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 151
Toward US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
7
Merge onto US 30; US 151
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Lincoln Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
9
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
12
Merge onto I 80
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 80
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward Merango, North English
14
Turn left onto CR V66
12 mi
·
16 min
·
M Avenue
15
Continue on IA 149
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 149
16
Turn right onto IA 22; IA 149
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
17
Continue on IA 22; IA 149
11 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 149
18
Turn right onto IA 92; IA 149
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
State Highway 92
19
Continue on IA 92; IA 149
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Jackson Street
20
Turn left onto IA 149
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
21
Continue on IA 149
10 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 149
22
At end of road, turn right onto IA 149
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 149
23
Continue on IA 149
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Main Street
24
Continue on IA 149
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 149
25
Continue on IA 149
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
26
Continue on IA 149
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 149
27
At end of road, turn left onto IA 149
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 149
28
Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Old US Highway 63
29
Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Wapello Street
30
Turn left onto West Fourth Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Fourth Street
31
Arrive at destination
West Fourth Street
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 89.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.1 miles or 1h 45m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ottumwa, 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 178.2 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 US 151 for about 64.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.1 mi from Dubuque, IA · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 151 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.9 miles.
Arriving in Ottumwa, IA
The final approach into Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, 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
$27.86 one way
$55.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.59 | $61.18 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.29 | $68.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.34 | $78.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.71 | $8.55 |
| Efficient EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.59 | $7.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.3 | 0 | $24.95 | $11.40 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Ottumwa, IA
Afternoon in Ottumwa on Thursday
Local time
12:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
23 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 42m 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 Ottumwa, IA covers 178.2 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 151, State Highway 149, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.1 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 $27.86 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 178.2 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles (US 151): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dubuque, IA and Ottumwa, IA, road signs point toward Airport, Merango and English.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ottumwa, IA
More trips to Ottumwa, IA
Explore more options from Dubuque, IA or browse trips ending in Ottumwa, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Dubuque, IA or Ottumwa, IA on MapSof.net.