Origin
Osceola County, IA
Afternoon in Osceola County on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Osceola County, IA to Dubuque, IA
Drive Time
6h 37m
Distance
322.6 mi
519 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
Traveling from Osceola County to Dubuque spans 322.8 miles across the Iowa landscape. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel for this journey, which is best handled as a single-day trip. Budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance between these two points. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, your pace will be steady but require more focus than a typical high-speed cruise. This drive connects the western and eastern edges of the state, taking you entirely through the Midwest region. It is a straightforward, practical path for those who prefer local backroads over the monotony of heavy highway traffic.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.3 miles from Osceola County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you actively engaged with the steering wheel. With 0% highway share, you will navigate via 190th Street, County Highway A30, and 320th Street for the duration of the trip. The character of this route is defined by its rural connectivity rather than high-speed interstate travel. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, so expect a consistent rhythm of turns and intersection navigation. This is a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you traverse the Iowa countryside.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 164.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.3 miles in near US 59 / Silver Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 240.5 miles (US 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
15.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 59 / Silver Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.2 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
240.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
|
US 20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
322.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m 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
322.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 164.9 mi | 3h 10m |
| US 20 | 81.4 mi | 1h 36m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| County Highway A30 | 13 mi | 17m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| Railroad Street | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| 470th Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
2
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
3
Turn left onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
County Highway A30
4
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
5
Turn right onto US 59
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rerick Avenue
7
Continue on US 59
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
470th Street
9
Turn right onto US 59
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Tanager Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 59
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Q Avenue
11
Continue on US 59
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Railroad Street
12
Turn left onto IA 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
13
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
15
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
16
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
17
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
18
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
19
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
165 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
220th Street
Use the none lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
US 20
Use the none lane.
22
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
IA 946
Toward IA 946
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
26
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
27
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
28
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a full-day commitment, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for the 5-hour and 16-minute transit. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turns on local roads can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads may offer fewer service options than major corridors; ensure you have your $48 fuel budget ready before you head out. Because you are relying on local roads like 190th Street and County Highway A30, verify your navigation before leaving to ensure you stay on the intended path. The flexibility of this route allows you to set your own pace, so prioritize comfort and safety over speed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.3 miles from Osceola County, IA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 80 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.3 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 27m
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 Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, IA
This is one driving day of about 322.6 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Osceola County, 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 220th Street for about 164.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.3 mi from Osceola County, IA · 3h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 161.3 miles from Osceola County, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.9 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
$49.00 one way
$98.00 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.02 | $108.03 |
| premium | $4.80 | $60.90 | $121.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.67 | $143.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.87 | $15.48 |
| Efficient EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.23 | $12.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129 | 1 | $45.16 | $20.65 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Afternoon in Dubuque on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
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
6h 37m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Osceola County, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 322.6 miles and takes about 6h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, US 20, Silver Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.3 miles from Osceola County, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 240.5 miles (US 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Osceola County, IA to Dubuque, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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