Origin
Rock Valley, IA
Late night in Rock Valley on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rock Valley, IA to Dubuque, IA
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
7h 2m
Distance
340.6 mi
548 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 51m
★
6 AM
7h 2m
8 AM
7h 25m
10 AM
7h 10m
12 PM
7h 8m
3 PM
7h 11m
5 PM
7h 23m
8 PM
6h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rock Valley, IA
Roberto Lee Cortes
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 340.6-mile drive from Rock Valley to Dubuque, Iowa, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours to complete. With a fuel cost around $53, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily uses local roads like 220th Street and US 20, with a 28% share of highway driving. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that makes for an engaging journey rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Given its duration, it's manageable in one day, allowing for approximately two planned stops.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
170.3 miles from Rock Valley, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive offers a varied driving experience, leaning heavily towards local roads with a 'turn-heavy' profile. While 28% of the journey involves highway travel, the bulk of your time will be spent navigating through communities and countryside. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 164.9 miles on 220th Street, providing a significant segment of uninterrupted driving before you need to make a turn. This mix of road types means you'll experience different pacing and scenery throughout the 7-hour trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in near US 18 / 320th Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 19 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (US 18 / 320th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (L22 / County Road S): Navigation decision point; at 40.4 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
7.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 18 / 320th Street
Turn left onto US 18 / 320th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
29.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
L22 / County Road S
Turn right onto L22 / County Road S
Navigation decision point
6
40.4 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
340.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 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
340.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 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 |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 3 | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| Jackson Avenue | 8 mi | 11m |
| 400th Street | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| Log Avenue | 5.8 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Valley, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on 15th Street
28 ft
·
3 sec
·
15th Street
2
Turn right onto CR K30
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
16th Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 18
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
4
Continue on US 18
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
310th Street
5
Continue on US 18; US 75
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 18; US 75
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto US 18
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
320th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 18
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Black Forest Road
8
Continue on US 18
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
320th Street
9
Turn right onto CR K64
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Jackson Avenue
10
Turn left onto B40
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
400th Street
11
Continue on Birch Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Birch Street
12
Continue on Cedar Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Cedar Street
13
Continue on 6th Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
6th Avenue South
14
Turn right onto Fir Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Fir Street
15
Turn right onto L22
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
County Road S
16
Continue on L22
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Log Avenue
17
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
460th Street
18
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Garfield Street
19
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
460th Street
20
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
D Avenue
22
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Ames Avenue
23
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
490th Street
24
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 3
25
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
500th Street
26
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 3
27
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
28
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
29
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
30
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
31
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
32
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
33
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
34
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
165 mi
·
3 hr 10 min
·
220th Street
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
US 20
36
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
IA 946
Toward IA 946
38
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
40
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
41
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
42
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
43
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 340.6-mile journey, plan to depart early in the morning to allow ample time for your two stops and to arrive in Dubuque before evening. The route is predominantly local roads, so keep an eye on your GPS for frequent turns, especially during the longest 164.9-mile stretch on 220th Street. With a manageable fuel cost of $53, you won't break the bank, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Rock Valley. This drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in how you structure your stops.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.3 miles from Rock Valley, IA, or about 3h 41m 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 170.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 49m
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 Rock Valley, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rock Valley, IA
This is one driving day of about 340.6 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rock Valley, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 170.3 mi from Rock Valley, IA · 3h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 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 170.3 miles from Rock Valley, 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
$53.25 one way
$106.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $58.47 | $116.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $65.55 | $131.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.20 | $150.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.2 | 1 | $35.76 | $16.35 |
| Efficient EV | 85.2 | 0 | $29.80 | $13.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.2 | 1 | $47.68 | $21.80 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
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
6 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
7h 2m 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 Rock Valley, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 340.6 miles and takes about 7h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, US 20, 20th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 170.3 miles from Rock Valley, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.25 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 19 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (US 18 / 320th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (L22 / County Road S): Navigation decision point; at 40.4 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Rock Valley, IA to Dubuque, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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