Origin
Grimes, IA
Morning in Grimes on Friday
Local time
11:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grimes, IA to Dubuque, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
197.7 mi
318 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 45m
★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grimes, IA
Alexander Krivitskiy
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 197.7-mile drive from Grimes, IA to Dubuque, IA will take you about 3 hours and 58 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip. You'll primarily navigate along roads like Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road, with only about 16% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $31. Given its manageable length and the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, you can easily complete this route in one day without needing an overnight stay. This journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward transition across Iowa.
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
98.9 miles from Grimes, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 197.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a route that's more about navigation than speed, with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. Only 16% of this 197.7-mile trip is on highways, meaning you'll encounter more local roads and intersections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 37 miles along the Lincoln Highway, so be prepared for frequent changes in scenery and road conditions. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a drive that keeps you engaged with its varied path through Iowa.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 197.7 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 3.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Dave...
5
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
13.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
17.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
6
197.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m 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.
Between Grimes, IA and Dubuque, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
Bondurant
17.8 mi in
|
~23m
|
via US 65
Marion
117.1 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 33.5 mi | 39m |
| 200th Avenue | 32.4 mi | 37m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| Marion Airport Road | 24.1 mi | 27m |
| I 80 | 13 mi | 14m |
| IA 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| US 151 | 6.2 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grimes, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on Southeast Main Street
22 ft
·
4 sec
·
Southeast Main Street
2
Turn right onto IA 44
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
4
Merge onto IA 141
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Grimes Boulevard
5
Continue on IA 141
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Grimes Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on IA 141
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northwest Urbandale Drive
7
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east: Minneapolis, Davenport
8
Merge onto I 80; I 35
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 35; I 80
10
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 80; I 35
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 65
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
14
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
16
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
17
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
19
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 100
20
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
21
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
22
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Marion Airport Road
23
Continue on US 151
32 mi
·
37 min
·
200th Avenue
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 151
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 61; US 151
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
27
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
28
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
29
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1 day, 197.7-mile journey, consider an early morning departure from Grimes, IA, to maximize your daylight and flexibility. With a duration of under 4 hours, you won't need to split the drive, but planning for one stop around the halfway mark can help break up the 37-mile longest stretch on Lincoln Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $31, and local roads can sometimes be less predictable for gas availability than major highways. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to posted speed limits on the local roads, as they can vary significantly.
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 98.9 miles from Grimes, IA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.9 miles or 1h 59m 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 14m
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 Grimes, 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 Grimes, IA
This is one driving day of about 197.7 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Grimes, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.9 mi from Grimes, IA · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.9 miles from Grimes, 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
$30.91 one way
$61.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.94 | $67.87 |
| premium | $4.89 | $38.05 | $76.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.65 | $87.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.76 | $9.49 |
| Efficient EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.30 | $7.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.68 | $12.65 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Morning in Dubuque on Friday
Local time
11:50 AM
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
4 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 58m 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 Grimes, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 197.7 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 200th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.9 miles from Grimes, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.91 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 17 significant decision points across 197.7 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 3.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Grimes, IA and Dubuque, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dubuque, IA
More trips to Dubuque, IA
Explore more options from Grimes, IA or browse trips ending in Dubuque, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.