Origin
Webster City, IA
Morning in Webster City on Wednesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Webster City, IA to Dubuque, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
168.4 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Webster City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 168.4-mile drive from Webster City, IA to Dubuque, IA is a straightforward 3-hour and 20-minute journey, perfect for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Midwest. The route is almost entirely highway, making for efficient travel. You'll spend most of your time on US 20, which offers a consistent driving experience. This trip is ideal if you're looking for a simple, no-fuss drive between these two Iowa locations without needing an overnight stop.
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
84.2 miles from Webster City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll primarily be on US 20 for the longest stretch of 165.8 miles, indicating a consistent and uninterrupted travel experience for the bulk of your journey. The roads are well-maintained and designed for efficient travel, so you can anticipate a smooth ride for most of the 3 hours and 20 minutes. This isn't a route with dramatic scenic shifts; it's about covering ground effectively.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 165.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Superior Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 20m 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 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 167.9 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m 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
168 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m 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
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
5
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
|
Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 165.8 mi | 3h 14m |
| Superior Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Briggs Woods Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| IA 946 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| White Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Locust Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| US 61 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 7th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 165.8 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Webster City, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on CR D20
60 ft
·
5 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Superior Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Superior Street
3
Continue on IA 17
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Briggs Woods Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 20 East
5
Merge onto US 20
84 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
US 20
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
US 20
7
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
IA 946
Toward IA 946
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
11
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
12
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
13
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 20 minutes, this drive is easily completed in one day. You can depart Webster City in the morning and arrive in Dubuque with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. The main road, US 20, is straightforward, but always be mindful of local traffic as you approach and leave towns. A quick fuel check before leaving Webster City is advisable, as the longest stretch is quite extensive.
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 84.2 miles from Webster City, IA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.8 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
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 Webster City, 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 Webster City, IA
This is one driving day of about 168.4 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Webster City, 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 for about 165.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.2 mi from Webster City, IA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 84.2 miles from Webster City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.8 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
$26.33 one way
$52.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.91 | $57.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.41 | $64.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 Wednesday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
84 mi in
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
23 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
3h 20m 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 Webster City, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 168.4 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, Superior Street, Briggs Woods Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.2 miles from Webster City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.33 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 20m 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 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 167.9 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Webster City, IA to Dubuque, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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