Adel to Dubuque is 209 miles and takes about 4 hours 12 minutes via Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically within Iowa, offering a straightforward journey between two points in the state. Given its relatively short duration and single recommended day, it's ideal for a quick trip without needing an overnight stay. You'll primarily be navigating local roads, so expect a more hands-on driving experience compared to a pure interstate route. Plan for a day trip that gets you to your destination with time to spare.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
104.5 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
200th Avenue
32.4 mi
37m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi
27m
I 80
15.5 mi
17m
290th Street
11.9 mi
17m
IA 100
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on US 169
16 ft·7 sec·Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·Greene Street
3
Continue on US 6
12 mi·17 min·290th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 eastUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 80; I 35
10 mi·11 min·I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi·50 sec·I 35; I 80
7
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi·40 sec·I 80; I 35
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 65
0.5 mi·1 min·US 65
Exit 142Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, BondurantUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
11
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
13
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
14
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
16
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi·11 min·IA 100
17
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi·7 min·Collins Road Northeast
18
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
19
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi·27 min·Marion Airport Road
20
Continue on US 151
32 mi·37 min·200th Avenue
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi·7 min·US 151
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi·1 min·US 61; US 151
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
24
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
25
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
26
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
With a 4-hour 12-minute duration and a fuel cost estimated at $33, this one-day trip from Adel to Dubuque offers flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in Dubuque, especially since the longest stretch is only 37 miles, allowing for easy stops. The route's turn-heavy nature means paying close attention to navigation is key; ensure your GPS is up-to-date. While there's only one recommended stop, you might find smaller towns along the way offer convenient spots for a quick break or to top off your fuel tank if needed, though the total mileage is manageable for a single tank for most vehicles.
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 104.5 miles from Adel, IA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Adel, 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 Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 209 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Adel, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 208.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
5
12.9 mi into trip|~19m in|I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
24.6 mi into trip|~32m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
8
29 mi into trip|~37m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142
Toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Ma...
6
208.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.67 one way
$65.35 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.88
$71.75
premium
$4.89
$40.22
$80.44
diesel
$5.61
$46.14
$92.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.7
0
$21.94
$10.03
Efficient EV
52.3
0
$18.29
$8.36
EV Truck/SUV
83.6
1
$29.26
$13.38
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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Adel, IA
Late night
in Adel on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Late night
in Dubuque on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Vinton, IA
105 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
3 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
4h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a turn-heavy local drive, with only 16% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37 miles along the Lincoln Highway. As you progress, you'll transition from Northeast Hubbell Road to 200th Avenue, indicating a shift in the local road network. Expect to be actively steering and navigating through various county roads and potentially small town centers, rather than cruising on a high-speed interstate. This character means you'll likely experience a more varied landscape and pace throughout the 4 hours and 12 minutes of travel.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 209 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Adel, IA and Dubuque, IA, road signs point toward Bondurant and Marion.
Dubuque, founded in 1833, is the oldest city in Iowa. A port on the upper Mississippi River, it is situated along scenic bluffs facing the river, and has its roots in a mining and trading settlement established in the area by Quebec-born entrepreneur Julien Dubuque in 1788. The city's population is 57,686 (2000 Census), and the estimated population of the Dubuque metropolitan area is 93,072.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 209 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Dubuque, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Dubuque, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
