Origin
Fort Dodge, IA
Evening in Fort Dodge on Thursday
Local time
6:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Dodge, IA to Dubuque, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
188.1 mi
303 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Dodge, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Fort Dodge to Dubuque, Iowa, covers 188.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. This journey is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with a projected fuel cost of around $29. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it a straightforward drive across the Midwest. You'll primarily be on US 20 and its business routes, offering a consistent travel experience. The entire trip stays within Iowa, so you can expect familiar Midwestern landscapes throughout.
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
94 miles from Fort Dodge, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 188.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This trip is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey utilizing major roadways like US 20 and 8th Avenue South. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 100.6 miles on US 20 Business. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these efficient highway portions, allowing for steady progress toward your destination. While primarily highway, the initial and final segments might involve more local road transitions as you enter and exit the towns.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 100.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 Business and US 20. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near South 32nd Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (South 32nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 20 Business): Navigation decision point; at 187.6 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South 32nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto South 32nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 20 Business
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
187.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
US 61; US 151
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
187.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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
5
188 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 Business | 100.6 mi | 1h 56m |
| US 20 | 81.4 mi | 1h 36m |
| 8th Avenue South | 1 mi | 2m |
| Mill Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Nelson Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Quail Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Paragon Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 32nd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20 Business
— 100.6 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on 8th Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Avenue South
2
At end of road, turn right onto South 32nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 32nd Street
3
Continue on Paragon Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Paragon Avenue
4
Continue on Mill Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mill Road
5
Continue on 220th Street
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
220th Street
6
Turn right onto US 20 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Quail Avenue
7
Continue on US 20 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelson Avenue
8
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business
101 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
US 20 Business
Toward US 20 East
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
US 20
10
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
IA 946
Toward IA 946
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
14
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
15
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
16
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 188.1-mile drive, a morning departure from Fort Dodge is recommended to maximize daylight and arrive in Dubuque with ample time. With a duration of under four hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a break. The longest stretch without a town is over 100 miles, so ensure you have snacks and drinks before you hit that segment of US 20 Business. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 100-mile mark on US 20 Business, as services can be spaced out.
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 94 miles from Fort Dodge, IA, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.6 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
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 Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge, IA
This is one driving day of about 188.1 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Fort Dodge, 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 20 Business for about 100.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94 mi from Fort Dodge, IA · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94 miles from Fort Dodge, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.6 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.41 one way
$58.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.29 | $64.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.20 | $72.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.53 | $83.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.75 | $9.03 |
| Efficient EV | 47 | 0 | $16.46 | $7.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.33 | $12.04 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Evening in Dubuque on Thursday
Local time
6:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 45m 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 Fort Dodge, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 188.1 miles and takes about 3h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20 Business, US 20, 8th Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94 miles from Fort Dodge, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.41 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 straightforward 3h 45m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (South 32nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 20 Business): Navigation decision point; at 187.6 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Dodge, IA to Dubuque, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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