Creston to Dubuque is 269 miles and takes about 5 hours 23 minutes via I 35 and Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a mostly surface road drive, so expect more local scenery and fewer high-speed cruising stretches. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion where you can take your time and enjoy the scenery at a more relaxed pace.
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
134.5 miles from Creston, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
53.1 mi
58m
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi
39m
200th Avenue
32.4 mi
37m
West Taylor Street
30.5 mi
42m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi
27m
IA 100
9.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 53.1 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,792 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,325
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 96 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Creston, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on East Montgomery Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·East Montgomery Street
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Elm Street
3
Turn left onto US 34
30 mi·42 min·West Taylor Street
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I-35 north: Des Moines
5
Merge onto I 35
53 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
4.5 mi·5 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
7
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.
8
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
9
Continue on US 65; IA 330
33 mi·39 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
12
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
14
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi·11 min·IA 100
15
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi·7 min·Collins Road Northeast
16
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
17
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi·27 min·Marion Airport Road
18
Continue on US 151
32 mi·37 min·200th Avenue
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi·7 min·US 151
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi·1 min·US 61; US 151
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
22
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
23
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
24
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample daylight for the surface road portions. With a total duration under 6 hours and a fuel cost around $43, you won't need to split this trip, giving you flexibility to stop as needed. Keep an eye out for the Lincoln Highway signs, as this historic route offers a different perspective than the interstate. Since most of the drive is on surface roads, plan for a slightly longer travel time than the highway mileage might suggest and be mindful of local speed limits.
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 134.5 miles from Creston, IA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.1 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 59 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.5 miles or 2h 43m 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 25m
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 Creston, 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 Creston, IA
This is one driving day of about 269 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Creston, 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 I 35 for about 53.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
Atkins, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13194462739
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 268.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|US 34 / West Taylor Street
Turn left onto US 34 / West Taylor Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
31.3 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the ramp toward I-35 north: Des Moines
Navigation decision point
Toward I-35 north: Des Moines
6
84.6 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
89.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
268.6 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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
$44.87 one way
$89.74 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$48.77
$97.54
premium
$5.26
$55.70
$111.39
diesel
$6.18
$65.44
$130.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.91
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.54
$10.76
EV Truck/SUV
107.6
1
$37.66
$17.22
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Creston, IA
Night
in Creston on Monday
Local time
9:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 6 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Night
in Dubuque on Monday
Local time
9:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
70°F
Brooklyn, IA
135 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 23m 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 is primarily on surface roads, with only 28% of the route utilizing highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local routes, including stretches of the Lincoln Highway and Northeast Hubbell Road. The longest continuous highway segment is 53.1 miles on I 35, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and lower speed limits once you leave the interstate. Expect a cruising experience that feels more connected to the landscape rather than isolated on a high-speed corridor.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.1 mi on I 35.
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 0.8 miles in near US 34 / West Taylor Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 269 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 0.8 miles (US 34 / West Taylor Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,313 ft623 ft
Total Climb
316 ft
Total Descent
1,006 ft
Highest Point
1,313 ft
Elevation Range
690 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Creston, 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.
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 5h 23m. Total distance: 269 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 34 / West Taylor Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 84.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
