Connecting Dubuque to Coralville, this 86.3-mile journey across Iowa is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trek, making it a very budget-friendly option for your itinerary. The route primarily utilizes US 151 and State Highway 1, keeping you moving efficiently through the heart of the Midwest. Whether you are heading to Coralville for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable and uncomplicated path between these two Iowa hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.1 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 151
45 mi
52m
State Highway 1
15.7 mi
21m
Highway 1 Northeast
10.7 mi
14m
US 61
5.6 mi
7m
I 80
2.8 mi
3m
1st Avenue North
1.5 mi
2m
North Market Street
1.4 mi
2m
1st Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 45 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Coralville, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 189AToward US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Continue on US 61; US 151
5.6 mi·7 min·US 61; US 151
4
Take the exit onto US 151
45 mi·52 min·US 151
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
6
Turn left onto IA 1
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 1
7
Continue on IA 1
1.5 mi·2 min·1st Avenue North
8
Continue on IA 1
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 1
9
Enter roundabout onto US 30 Bus; IA 1
121 ft·5 sec·State Highway 1
10
Continue on US 30 Bus; IA 1
5.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 1
11
Continue on IA 1
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1 Northeast
12
Continue on IA 1
1.4 mi·2 min·North Market Street
13
Continue on IA 1
7.5 mi·10 min·Highway 1 Northeast
14
Continue on North Dodge Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Dodge Street
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
16
Merge onto I 80
2.8 mi·3 min·I 80
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward VA Medical Center
18
Keep slight left at fork
309 ft·7 sec
19
Turn straight onto 1st Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto US 6 Hist
0.8 mi·2 min·5th Street
21
Turn right onto 12th Avenue
148 ft·5 sec·12th Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
12th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the total travel time of under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it best suits your plans. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this 86.3-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to refuel mid-trip. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential traffic near the larger hubs. Be mindful that the route relies heavily on US 151 for the majority of the mileage, so check local traffic reports for that corridor before you head out. This simple, direct path ensures you can spend less time behind the wheel and more time enjoying your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.1 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.1 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coralville, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dubuque, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dubuque, IA
This is one driving day of about 86.3 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Dubuque, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 151 for about 45 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 85.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward US 61 South, US 151 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 189A
Toward US 61 South, US 151 South
5
63.3 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1
Enter roundabout onto US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward VA Medical Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward VA Medical Center
5
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|US 6 Hist / 5th Street
Turn right onto US 6 Hist / 5th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.49 one way
$26.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.81
$29.63
premium
$4.89
$16.61
$33.22
diesel
$5.61
$19.05
$38.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.9
0
$9.06
$4.14
Efficient EV
21.6
0
$7.55
$3.45
EV Truck/SUV
34.5
0
$12.08
$5.52
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 16, 2026
Origin
Dubuque, IA
Late night
in Dubuque on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Coralville, IA
Late night
in Coralville on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Springville, IA
43 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
1h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 45 miles along US 151. The transition from the primary highway onto Highway 1 Northeast provides a change of pace as you navigate toward your destination. While the drive is consistent, the shift in road types keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining a steady pace, allowing you to focus on the road ahead as you traverse the Iowa landscape.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45 mi on US 151.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and State Highway 1. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
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 86.3 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.3 miles (US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 84.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 1h 53m. Total distance: 86.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45 miles on US 151. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.3 miles (US 30 Bus; IA 1 / State Highway 1): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 84.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Coralville, IA before heading back.
