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Trip from Cherokee, IA to Dubuque, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

274.2 mi

441 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Iowa, United States

Cherokee, IA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Dubuque, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 274.9-mile journey from Cherokee, IA, to Dubuque, IA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. You'll be navigating primarily on local roads, with a 0% highway share, making it more of a turn-heavy local drive. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is about $42. Given the duration and the nature of the route, it’s perfectly manageable as a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This drive stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel as you traverse Iowa.

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

137.1 miles from Cherokee, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 164.9 mi 3h 10m
US 20 81.4 mi 1h 36m
20th Avenue 9.2 mi 12m
Armstrong Avenue 6 mi 8m
530th Street 3.7 mi 5m
State Highway 7 2.1 mi 2m
V Avenue 2 mi 2m
1st Street 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cherokee, IA and Dubuque, IA.

1

Start on this road

104 ft · 12 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto US 59

156 ft · 9 sec · South 2nd Street
3

Turn right onto East Main Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
4

Continue on State Highway 977

0.4 mi · 36 sec · State Highway 977
5

Continue on 530th Street

3.7 mi · 5 min · 530th Street
6

Turn right onto IA 7

2.0 mi · 2 min · V Avenue
7

Continue on IA 7

1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
8

Continue on IA 7

2.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 7
9

Continue on IA 7

1.1 mi · 1 min · Highway 7
10

Turn right onto 20th Avenue

9.2 mi · 12 min · 20th Avenue
11

Continue on CR M27

6.0 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
12

At end of road, turn left onto US 20

165 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street
13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

81 mi · 1 hr 36 min · US 20
14

Turn left onto IA 946

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn straight onto IA 946

0.1 mi · 20 sec · IA 946
Toward IA 946
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151

418 ft · 13 sec · US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 189A Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
18

Continue on White Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · White Street
19

Turn left onto East 7th Street

284 ft · 19 sec · East 7th Street
20

Turn left onto Central Avenue

31 ft · 1 sec · Central Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 25-minute drive covering 274.9 miles, starting your departure in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $42 and local roads might mean less frequent or more spread-out gas stations compared to interstates. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for Highway 977 and South 2nd Street as these are key to staying on track.

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 137.1 miles from Cherokee, IA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 60 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 137.1 miles or 2h 46m 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 28m

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 Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, IA

This is one driving day of about 274.2 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Cherokee, 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 220th Street for about 164.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Falls, IA

137 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Jefferson, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.1 miles from Cherokee, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 164.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dubuque, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Dubuque, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Early, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Cherokee, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

EVgo Car Charging Station

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 274.2 — 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 | US 59 / South 2nd Street

Turn left onto US 59 / South 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

6
273.6 mi into trip | ~5h 27m in | US 61; US 151

At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
273.7 mi into trip | ~5h 27m 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
274.1 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | East 7th Street

Turn left onto East 7th Street

Navigation decision point

5
274.2 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | Central Avenue

Turn left onto Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.87 one way

$85.74 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $47.07 $94.13
premium $4.89 $52.77 $105.53
diesel $5.61 $60.54 $121.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.3 1 $28.79 $13.16
Efficient EV 68.6 0 $23.99 $10.97
EV Truck/SUV 109.7 1 $38.39 $17.55

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Cherokee, IA

Late night in Cherokee on Tuesday

Local time

3:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dubuque, IA

Late night in Dubuque on Tuesday

Local time

3:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

4 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

5h 28m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a driving experience characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, as indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With no highway segments, the entire 274.9 miles are on surface streets and county roads. While the data doesn't specify the longest uninterrupted stretch, the nature of this route suggests you'll be encountering various town and country road conditions. The drive progresses by taking you through Iowa's local landscapes rather than high-speed corridors.

31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.9 mi on 220th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 59 / South 2nd Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 28m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 59 / South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 273.6 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 273.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Dubuque, IA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 274.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (31%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 164.9 miles on 220th 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.

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: near the start (US 59 / South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 273.6 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 273.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dubuque, IA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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