Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
207.3 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
The drive from West Des Moines, IA to Dubuque, IA covers 207.3 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 63rd Street, I-235 east, John MacVicar Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.78 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
103.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 12m drive with frequent turns across 207.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 63rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-235 east | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John MacVicar Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 80 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines, IA and Dubuque, IA.
Start on Vine Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto 63rd Street;1st Street
Take the ramp right toward I-235 east
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
Continue on 73rd Street
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Continue straight
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
Turn left
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
Continue on 200th Avenue
Keep slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
Continue on White Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dubuque, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 207.3 miles and 3h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.7 mi from West Des Moines, IA · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 103.7 miles from West Des Moines, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$30.78 one way
$61.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.71 | $69.42 |
| premium | $4.65 | $37.98 | $75.97 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $43.29 | $86.58 |
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: 72.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.77 | $9.95 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.9 | 1 | $29.02 | $13.27 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in West Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Cedar Rapids, IA
104 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from West Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Dubuque, IA.
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