Dubuque, IA to Knoxville, IA is 194 miles and takes about 3h 49m via I 80 and US 151, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically crossing Iowa on a predominantly highway route. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward option for connecting these two points efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates and highways, making it a relatively easy and direct path.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
73.8 mi
1h 19m
US 151
64.9 mi
1h 16m
State Highway 14
23.5 mi
34m
Avenue of the Saints
15.8 mi
17m
Lincoln Freeway
6.4 mi
7m
US 61
5.6 mi
7m
North Lincoln Street
1.1 mi
1m
Monroe Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 73.8 mi, about 1h 19m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,008 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,415
Quietest
2 AM
~146 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Dubuque, IA and Knoxville, 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
7.5 mi·9 min·US 151; IA 13
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 151
0.4 mi·38 sec·US 151
Toward US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
7
Merge onto US 30; US 151
6.4 mi·7 min·Lincoln Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
9
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
16 mi·17 min·Avenue of the Saints
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
12
Merge onto I 80
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 80
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
14
Turn left onto State Highway 14
11 mi·16 min·State Highway 14
15
Continue on IA 14
1.0 mi·1 min·Monroe Street
16
Continue on IA 14
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 14
17
Continue on IA 14
1.1 mi·1 min·North Lincoln Street
18
Arrive at destination
IA 14
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 49 minute drive time, leaving Dubuque in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Knoxville well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 194-mile distance, you have flexibility in how you pace your travel. The fuel cost is estimated around $30, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan a quick stop. Keep an eye on your mileage; the longest stretch on I 80 is 73.8 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before that segment.
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 97 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.8 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 43 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Knoxville, 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 194 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 I 80 for about 73.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 168 — 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
6
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|US 151
Keep slight right at fork onto US 151 toward US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
5
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South:...
5
93.5 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 80 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 West: Des Moines
5
168 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6, IA 14: Newton, Monroe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.25 one way
$64.51 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$35.13
$70.27
premium
$5.18
$39.59
$79.17
diesel
$5.35
$40.86
$81.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.2
0
$20.37
$9.31
Efficient EV
48.5
0
$16.98
$7.76
EV Truck/SUV
77.6
0
$27.16
$12.42
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 May 21, 2026
Origin
Dubuque, IA
Afternoon
in Dubuque on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Knoxville, IA
Afternoon
in Knoxville on Wednesday
Local time
3:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 6 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Tiffin, IA
97 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
2 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
3h 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 route is mostly highway, with 90% of the 194 miles on major roads like I 80 and US 151. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 73.8 miles on I 80. You'll transition from US 151 and State Highway 14 onto I 80, where you can expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits. The final portion will involve leaving the interstate for surface roads as you approach your destination.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.8 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 151. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 194 miles you will encounter 11 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 70.4 miles (US 151): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,001 ft623 ft
Total Climb
654 ft
Total Descent
367 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
~13.9 mi in
Elevation Range
379 ft
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 Knoxville, IA, road signs point toward Airport and Monroe.
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 3h 49m. Total distance: 194 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Knoxville, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.4 miles (US 151): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Knoxville, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
