Spanning 268.6 miles across the Iowa landscape, this drive from Dubuque to Creston typically takes about 5 hours and 22 minutes to complete. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily handle it as a direct transit rather than planning for an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize a combination of US 151, I-35, and the Lincoln Highway to navigate between these two Midwest cities. Budgeting roughly $41 for fuel should cover your primary travel costs, making this an efficient way to cross the state. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the route offers a straightforward path that stays within the heart of the Midwest.
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
134.3 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 151
58.1 mi
1h 7m
I 35
40 mi
43m
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi
39m
US 34
30.3 mi
42m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
IA 100
15.2 mi
18m
US 65
13 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Creston, 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
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·US 151
5
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
6
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi·18 min·IA 100
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
8
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
9
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
10
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
12
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi·39 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
13
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi·58 sec·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
14
Take the exit onto US 65
13 mi·15 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 80; I 35
5.6 mi·6 min·I 80; I 35
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
40 mi·43 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward US 34: Osceola, Creston
18
Turn left onto US 34
30 mi·42 min·US 34
19
Turn right onto South Elm Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Elm Street
20
Turn right onto West Montgomery Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·West Montgomery Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Montgomery Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 5-hour and 22-minute trek is best done by scheduling at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are staying on highways for the majority of the 268.6 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches to ensure you aren't caught off guard between major interchanges. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion on the busier sections of I-35. Because the route is highly flexible, you have the freedom to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays. Remember that your $41 fuel estimate is a baseline, so check current local prices along the Lincoln Highway segment before you head out.
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 134.3 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.3 miles or 2h 39m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Creston, 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.
+
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 Dubuque, IA
This is one driving day of about 268.6 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Dubuque, 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 US 151 for about 58.1 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 197.4 — 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
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
7
178.8 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
6
197.4 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.99 one way
$83.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$46.11
$92.21
premium
$4.89
$51.69
$103.38
diesel
$5.61
$59.30
$118.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.20
$12.89
Efficient EV
67.2
0
$23.50
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.60
$17.19
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Dubuque, IA
Night
in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Creston, IA
Night
in Creston on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
26 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 22m 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 highway-focused drive is characterized by a significant 62% reliance on major thoroughfares, ensuring a steady pace throughout your journey. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch of 58.1 miles on US 151, which sets the tone for a consistent driving experience. As you transition between these segments, the road shifts from regional highway driving to the faster-paced flow of the interstate. Expect a practical, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding local paths. You will find that the road surface remains predictable, allowing you to maintain a steady momentum as you move toward your destination.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.1 mi on US 151.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and I 35. 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 268.6 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 79.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dubuque, IA and Creston, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
79.3 mi in|~1h 35m
Des Moines
144.1 mi in|~2h 50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 268.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.1 miles on US 151. 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: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Creston, IA before the return drive.
