Carroll, IA to Dubuque, IA is 241.6 miles and takes about 4h 55m via 230th Street, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a route that is primarily on surface roads, making it a more relaxed drive than a highway-heavy trip. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for a straightforward way to get from point A to point B without significant time commitments.
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
120.8 miles from Carroll, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
230th Street
77.2 mi
1h 29m
220th Street
44.4 mi
58m
200th Avenue
32.4 mi
37m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi
27m
County Road N33
10.3 mi
13m
IA 100
9.4 mi
11m
US 151
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carroll, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on this road
129 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
74 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto US 30
2.3 mi·4 min·East 6th Street
4
Continue on US 30
10 mi·13 min·County Road N33
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 30
44 mi·58 min·220th Street
6
Continue on US 30
77 mi·1 hr 29 min·230th Street
7
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
9
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi·11 min·IA 100
10
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi·7 min·Collins Road Northeast
11
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
12
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi·27 min·Marion Airport Road
13
Continue on US 151
32 mi·37 min·200th Avenue
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi·7 min·US 151
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi·1 min·US 61; US 151
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
17
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
18
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
19
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 55m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is recommended to allow for flexibility. With only one planned stop and a fuel cost around $39, this is a manageable one-day trip. Because the majority of the route consists of surface roads, pay attention to posted speed limits and be mindful of potential agricultural traffic. The longest stretch of 77.2 miles on 230th Street means you'll have ample time to settle into the drive before needing to navigate a turn.
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 120.8 miles from Carroll, IA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 53 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
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 Carroll, 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 Carroll, IA
This is one driving day of about 241.6 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Carroll, 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 230th Street for about 77.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 241.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
161 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
6
241.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m 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
241.5 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
5
241.5 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.30 one way
$80.60 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$43.80
$87.60
premium
$5.26
$50.02
$100.05
diesel
$6.18
$58.77
$117.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.37
$11.60
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.14
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.82
$15.46
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Carroll, IA
Night
in Carroll on Monday
Local time
9:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Night
in Dubuque on Monday
Local time
9:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m 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 drive features a low highway share, with only 7% of the route on major highways. You'll spend most of your time on local roads like 230th Street, 220th Street, and 200th Avenue. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 77.2 miles on 230th Street. Drivers will notice the prevalence of surface roads, suggesting a more rural cruising experience with fewer exits and potentially more local traffic interactions.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.2 mi on 230th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 241.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,274 ft623 ft
Total Climb
533 ft
Total Descent
1,184 ft
Highest Point
1,274 ft
Elevation Range
651 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Carroll, IA to Dubuque, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•St. Raphael's Cathedral — church in Dubuque, Iowa
•Lock and Dam No. 11 — lock and dam on the Mississippi River located between Dubuque, Iowa and rural Gr...
•Julien Dubuque Bridge — bridge in Illinois and Iowa, U.S
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 241.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (7%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.2 miles on 230th Street. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Dubuque, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
