Dubuque, IA Road Trips

Sitting in the Midwest, Dubuque, IA is a local road trip base with 42 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 144 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Most routes from Dubuque, IA head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

city in and county seat of Dubuque, Iowa, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

43

Longest Drive

340.6 mi

Rock Valley, IA

Quickest Drive

1h 20m

Marion, IA

Plan Around Dubuque, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Dubuque, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Rock Valley, IA to Dubuque, IA 340.6 mi · 7h 2m Sioux Center, IA to Dubuque, IA 329.6 mi · 6h 41m Osceola County, IA to Dubuque, IA 322.6 mi · 6h 37m Sheldon, IA to Dubuque, IA 319.7 mi · 6h 30m

Continue From Dubuque, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Dubuque, IA to Spencer, IA 282.8 mi · 5h 43m Dubuque, IA to Creston, IA 268.6 mi · 5h 22m Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA 188.9 mi · 3h 46m Dubuque, IA to Burlington, IA 151.8 mi · 3h

Trips from Dubuque, IA

Dubuque, IA to Spencer, IA

282.8 mi 5h 43m

Dubuque, IA to Creston, IA

268.6 mi 5h 22m

Dubuque, IA to Des Moines, IA

188.9 mi 3h 46m

Dubuque, IA to Burlington, IA

151.8 mi 3h

Dubuque, IA to New Hampton, IA

129.7 mi 2h 41m

Dubuque, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

99.7 mi 2h

Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA

91.1 mi 1h 51m

Dubuque, IA to Coralville, IA

86.3 mi 1h 53m

Dubuque, IA to Bettendorf, IA

73.8 mi 1h 29m

Dubuque, IA to Davenport, IA

71.2 mi 1h 29m

Driving from Dubuque, IA

Expect an average of 144 miles and about 2h 55m behind the wheel when leaving Dubuque, IA. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 283 miles (5h 43m), while the shortest is just 71 miles.

Popular Destinations

The most popular drives from Dubuque, IA include Spencer, IA (282.8 mi, 5h 43m), Creston, IA (268.6 mi, 5h 22m), Des Moines, IA (188.9 mi, 3h 46m), Burlington, IA (151.8 mi, 3h), and New Hampton, IA (129.7 mi, 2h 41m). 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 144-mile trip from Dubuque, IA, budget about $21 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you. Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 10 mapped routes leaving Dubuque, IA and 32 routes heading into Dubuque, IA, covering 42 total connections. Distances range from 71 to 283 miles.

The longest mapped route from Dubuque, IA covers 283 miles and takes approximately 5h 43m. Shorter options start at just 71 miles.

The average route from Dubuque, IA runs about 144 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 55m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 144-mile trip from Dubuque, IA costs roughly $21 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Dubuque, IA include Spencer, IA, Creston, IA, Des Moines, IA and Burlington, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.