Origin
Fairfield, IA
Late night in Fairfield on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, IA to Dubuque, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
155.3 mi
250 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, IA
Daniel Dorfer
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairfield, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 151, Avenue of the Saints, US 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.7 miles on US 151. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.28 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
77.6 miles from Fairfield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 20m highway drive covering 155.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 151 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 49.7 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 36 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 49.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and Avenue of the Saints. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North B Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 155.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North B Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North B Street
Turn right onto North B Street
Navigation decision point
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 34 Business
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business toward US 34, IA 163 East: Burlington
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 34, IA 163 East: Burlington
5
70.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
Lafayette Street
Turn right onto Lafayette Street
Navigation decision point
5
91.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
IA 1 / State Highway 1
Enter roundabout onto IA 1 / State Highway 1
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
154.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairfield, IA to Dubuque, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
66.9 mi in
|
~1h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 151 | 49.7 mi | 58m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.6 mi | 49m |
| US 34 | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 1 | 15.5 mi | 21m |
| Highway 1 Northeast | 10.7 mi | 14m |
| East Burlington Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| North Dodge Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 49.7 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on East Briggs Avenue
415 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Briggs Avenue
2
Turn right onto North B Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
North B Street
3
Turn left onto US 34 Business
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East Burlington Avenue
4
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 34 Business
Toward US 34, IA 163 East: Burlington
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
20 mi
·
22 min
·
US 34; IA 163
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 234
7
Turn left onto US 218 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Old US Highway 218
8
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
43 mi
·
49 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Airport
10
Continue on Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Crest Hill Road Southeast
11
Continue on Old Highway 218 South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Highway 218 South
12
Continue on South Riverside Drive
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Riverside Drive
13
Turn right onto West Benton Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Benton Street
14
Turn left onto South Capitol Street
417 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Capitol Street
15
Turn right onto Lafayette Street
423 ft
·
16 sec
·
Lafayette Street
16
Turn left onto South Clinton Street
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
South Clinton Street
17
Continue on Church Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Church Street
18
Turn left onto IA 1
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Governor Street
19
Turn right onto IA 1
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Dodge Street
20
Continue on IA 1
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Highway 1 Northeast
21
Continue on IA 1
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Market Street
22
Continue on IA 1
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 1 Northeast
23
Continue on IA 1
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 1
24
Enter roundabout onto IA 1
132 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 1
25
Continue on IA 1
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
State Highway 1
26
Continue on IA 1
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue South
27
Continue on IA 1
10 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 1
28
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
29
Merge onto US 151
45 mi
·
51 min
·
US 151
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 151
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 61; US 151
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
33
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
34
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
35
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
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 77.6 miles from Fairfield, IA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.7 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dubuque, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA
This is one driving day of about 155.3 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fairfield, 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 49.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.6 mi from Fairfield, IA · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Fairfield, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dubuque, IA
The final approach into Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, 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
$24.28 one way
$48.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.66 | $53.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.89 | $59.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.29 | $68.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.31 | $7.45 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.59 | $6.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.74 | $9.94 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Late night in Dubuque on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
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
20 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 20m 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 Fairfield, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 155.3 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 151, Avenue of the Saints, US 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.6 miles from Fairfield, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.28 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 is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 155.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North B Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.2 miles (Lafayette Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Fairfield, IA to Dubuque, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
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