Origin
Red Oak, IA
Morning in Red Oak on Saturday
Local time
7:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Oak, IA to Dubuque, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 15m
Distance
307.4 mi
495 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 2m
★
6 AM
6h 15m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 24m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 25m
5 PM
6h 39m
8 PM
6h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Oak, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Red Oak, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 307.4 miles and takes about 6h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 6, Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62 miles on US 6. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.06 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
153.7 miles from Red Oak, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 307.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Red Oak, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 307.4 miles and takes about 6h 15m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 108.6 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 307.4 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 108.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
9
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
123 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
127.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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...
5
226.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
6
307 mi into trip
|
~6h 13m 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 Red Oak, IA and Dubuque, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Bondurant and Marion.
Minneapolis
108.6 mi in
|
~2h 18m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
108.6 mi in
|
~2h 18m
|
via I 80
Bondurant
127.5 mi in
|
~2h 40m
|
via US 65
Marion
226.9 mi in
|
~4h 37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 | 62 mi | 1h 7m |
| 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 | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| North Broadway Street | 14 mi | 20m |
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 62 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on East Reed Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Reed Street
2
Turn right onto IA 48
14 mi
·
20 min
·
North Broadway Street
3
Continue on IA 48
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
M Avenue
4
Continue on IA 48
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
550th Street
5
Continue on IA 48
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Adair Street
6
Continue on IA 48
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
550th Street
7
Turn right onto US 6
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
White Pole Road
8
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 7th Street
9
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West 7th Street
10
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
White Pole Road
11
Continue on US 6; IA 83
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
12
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
650th Street
13
Take the exit onto US 6
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 6
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 80
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80
Use the slight left lane.
16
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.
17
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
18
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi
·
39 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
20
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
21
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
23
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 100
24
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
25
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
26
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Marion Airport Road
27
Continue on US 151
32 mi
·
37 min
·
200th Avenue
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 151
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 61; US 151
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
31
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
32
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
33
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
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 153.7 miles from Red Oak, IA, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 68 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.7 miles or 3h 12m 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 8m
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 Red Oak, 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 Red Oak, IA
This is one driving day of about 307.4 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Red Oak, 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 6 for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.7 mi from Red Oak, IA · 3h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.7 miles from Red Oak, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.06 one way
$96.12 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $52.77 | $105.53 |
| premium | $4.89 | $59.16 | $118.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.87 | $135.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.28 | $14.76 |
| Efficient EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.90 | $12.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123 | 1 | $43.04 | $19.67 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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
Morning in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
7:17 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
29 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
6h 15m 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 Red Oak, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 307.4 miles and takes about 6h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 6, Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.7 miles from Red Oak, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.06 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 307.4 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 108.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles (US 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Red Oak, IA and Dubuque, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, 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.
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