Dubuque, IA to Osceola County, IA is 322.5 miles and takes about 6h 37m via Avenue of the Saints and US 59, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, taking you across Iowa on a mix of highways and surface roads. With just one recommended stop and a mostly surface road profile, this trip is manageable for a single day, but be prepared for a longer stretch on the Avenue of the Saints. It's a straightforward drive across the state.
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
161.2 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
159.2 mi
3h 3m
Dodge Street
87 mi
1h 43m
US 59
13.6 mi
18m
Silver Avenue
13.5 mi
19m
Roosevelt Avenue
13 mi
17m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
470th Street
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 159.2 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Osceola County, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
0.2 mi·33 sec·Central Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward US 61 South, US 151 South
3
Turn right onto IA 946
0.2 mi·36 sec·Locust Street Conn
4
Turn right onto US 20
87 mi·1 hr 43 min·Dodge Street
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
159 mi·3 hr 3 min·Avenue of the Saints
6
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
7
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
8
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
9
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
10
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
11
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi·2 min·V Avenue
12
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 3
13
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi·4 min·530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 3
2.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 3
15
Turn right onto US 59
14 mi·18 min·US 59
16
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi·5 min·470th Street
17
Continue on US 59; IA 10
7.2 mi·9 min·Silver Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi·2 min·South Rerick Avenue
19
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi·8 min·Silver Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi·1 min·320th Street
21
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi·17 min·Roosevelt Avenue
22
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi·3 min·190th Street
23
Turn left onto Silver Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Silver Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Silver Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 37m duration, an early morning departure from Dubuque is recommended to maximize daylight. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 159.2-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints. While the fuel cost is estimated at $51, it's always wise to start with a full tank and be aware of fuel availability in more rural areas. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, stick to US 59 and the Avenue of the Saints to stay on course.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.2 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.2 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 71 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.2 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola County, 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 322.5 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 159.2 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 307.2 — 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
4
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
246.9 mi into trip|~4h 48m in|CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
288.3 mi into trip|~5h 46m in|US 59; IA 10 / 470th Street
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10 / 470th Street
Navigation decision point
4
307.2 mi into trip|~6h 13m in|US 18; US 59 / 320th Street
Turn left onto US 18; US 59 / 320th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.00 one way
$100.00 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$54.83
$109.65
premium
$4.93
$62.57
$125.14
diesel
$5.60
$71.09
$142.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.8
1
$33.86
$15.48
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.22
$12.90
EV Truck/SUV
129
1
$45.15
$20.64
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Dubuque, IA
Night
in Dubuque on Tuesday
Local time
11:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 23 at 4:59AM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Destination
Osceola County, IA
Night
in Osceola County on Tuesday
Local time
11:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 23 at 4:59AM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
65°F
Hampton, IA
161 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
1 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
6h 37m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 features a highway share of 6%, meaning most of your 322.5 miles will be on surface roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 159.2 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, which will likely transition from highway to surface road driving at some point. Expect more rural cruising and fewer exits compared to a full interstate experience. The majority of the drive will be on local roads, so keep an eye out for changing speed limits and varied road conditions.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.2 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 37m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87.7 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 246.9 miles (CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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
The longest stretch is about 159.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Osceola County, 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. 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 87.7 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 246.9 miles (CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Osceola County, IA before the return drive.
