Clear Lake, IA Road Trips
Drivers starting from Clear Lake, IA have 5 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Midwest. Most drives stay under 106 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Clear Lake, IA spread mainly south and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
6
Longest Drive
183.3 mi
Dubuque, IA
Quickest Drive
16m
Mason City, IA
Plan Around Clear Lake, IA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Clear Lake, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Clear Lake, IA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Clear Lake, IA
Driving from Clear Lake, IA
On average, trips departing from Clear Lake, IA run 106 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 3m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 183 miles (3h 39m), while the shortest is just 10 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Clear Lake, IA most often head toward Dubuque, IA (183.3 mi, 3h 39m), West Des Moines, IA (119.2 mi, 2h 14m), Urbandale, IA (116.4 mi, 2h 10m), Ankeny, IA (103.7 mi, 1h 55m), and Mason City, IA (9.7 mi, 16m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 106-mile trip from Clear Lake, IA, budget about $16 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Clear Lake, IA and 1 routes heading into Clear Lake, IA, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 10 to 183 miles.
The longest mapped route from Clear Lake, IA covers 183 miles and takes approximately 3h 39m. Shorter options start at just 10 miles.
The average route from Clear Lake, IA runs about 106 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 3m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 106-mile trip from Clear Lake, IA costs roughly $16 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Clear Lake, IA include Dubuque, IA, West Des Moines, IA, Urbandale, IA and Ankeny, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Clear Lake, IA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
7,603
Median Income
$70,278
Median Home Value
$235,100
Median Age
49.2
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Pick your one-way drive time and see where you can go from Clear Lake, IA.
No routes in this time range.
destinations from Clear Lake, IA.
Trips to Clear Lake, IA
Nearby Hubs
Other cities within driving distance of Clear Lake, IA that also have route pages.
Escape Planner
Where to go from Clear Lake, IA?
Curated day trips, weekend getaways, and overnight routes — grouped by how much time you have and the kind of trip you want.
Drives from Clear Lake, IA in your inbox
Monthly note with new routes, weekend drive ideas, and seasonal picks for IA. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Browse more IA road trips or choose a route from Clear Lake, IA above.