Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
39m
Distance
31 mi
50 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Maquoketa, IA
Diego F. Parra
Dubuque, IA to Maquoketa, IA is 31 miles and takes about 39 minutes via US 61, with a fuel budget near $5 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within the Midwest region and Iowa state, making it a straightforward connection between two points. The route is predominantly highway, so you'll experience a consistent pace for most of the drive. It's ideal for a quick excursion or as a segment of a larger road trip without requiring an overnight stay. Consider this a simple hop that's easy to fit into any schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 | 28.4 mi | 34m |
| Hurstville Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Central Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Maquoketa, IA.
Start on Central Avenue
Take the ramp
Continue on US 61; US 151
Turn left onto Hurstville Road
Continue on North Main Street
Arrive at destination
2 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 28.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 61 South, US 151 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto Hurstville Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$4.81 one way
$9.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $5.27 | $10.54 |
| premium | $4.93 | $6.01 | $12.03 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $6.83 | $13.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.26 | $1.49 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.71 | $1.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.34 | $1.98 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dubuque on Friday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Clear
Destination
Late night in Maquoketa on Friday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is mostly highway, with 91% of the 31 miles on US 61. You'll cruise on this main road for a long stretch of 28.4 miles. After that, the route transitions to surface streets like Hurstville Road and North Main Street as you approach Maquoketa. Expect a straightforward driving experience with minimal complexity given the high highway share.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and Hurstville Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Maquoketa, IA is easy. At 39m with 91% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.7 miles (Hurstville Road): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
642 ft
Total Descent
560 ft
Highest Point
1,119 ft
~8.9 mi in
Elevation Range
496 ft
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
Founded 1838
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 39m. Total distance: 31 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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