This 91.1-mile journey from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just under 2 hours to complete. You'll primarily navigate through the Midwest region on roads like Dodge Street and I-380. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, this drive is quite economical. The route offers a straightforward connection between two Iowa cities, making it a practical option for local travel. Given its short duration, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for a flexible schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.6 miles from Dubuque, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dodge Street
87 mi
1h 43m
I 380
2.9 mi
4m
Washington Street
0.4 mi
1m
Locust Street Conn
0.2 mi
<1m
Central Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
West 4th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dodge Street
— 87 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque, IA and Waterloo, 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 right at fork onto I 380
2.9 mi·4 min·I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
Continue on Washington Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Washington Street
Toward Downtown Riverfront, Sullivan Brothers Convention Center
7
Turn left onto West 4th Street
398 ft·13 sec·West 4th Street
8
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 91.1-mile drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Leaving anytime should work well, as the total duration is only 1 hour and 51 minutes. Since there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is a low $14, you can easily complete this trip without needing to plan extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your navigation as you approach Waterloo, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be making several turns into the city. This route is ideal for a spontaneous trip or a quick errand between Dubuque and Waterloo.
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 45.6 miles from Dubuque, IA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.6 miles or 55m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waterloo, 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 91.1 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Dubuque, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dodge Street for about 87 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
4 of 4
4 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 91.1 — 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
3
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|IA 946 / Locust Street Conn
Turn right onto IA 946 / Locust Street Conn
Navigation decision point
6
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
3
91.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|West 4th Street
Turn left onto West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.24 one way
$28.48 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.64
$31.28
premium
$4.89
$17.53
$35.06
diesel
$5.61
$20.11
$40.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.3
0
$9.57
$4.37
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.97
$3.64
EV Truck/SUV
36.4
0
$12.75
$5.83
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Dubuque, IA
Late night
in Dubuque on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 20 mph82% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waterloo, IA
Late night
in Waterloo on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 17 to 22 mph58% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 51m 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?
Expect a driving experience that's a bit more involved than a pure interstate cruise, with a 67% highway share. The profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a mix of faster highway sections and more frequent turns on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87 miles on Dodge Street, indicating a substantial portion of the drive is on this main artery before transitioning. This blend means you'll need to stay engaged, as the road character shifts throughout the 1 hour and 51 minute trip.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87 mi on Dodge Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dubuque, IA to Waterloo, IA is easy. At 1h 51m with 3% 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 0.4 miles (IA 946 / Locust Street Conn): Navigation decision point; at 87.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Waterloo is a city of 68,000 people (2020) in of Black Hawk County in Northeast Iowa. It adjoins the city of Cedar Falls. It is home to an important John Deere tractor factory, which offers tours.
The longest stretch is about 87 miles on Dodge Street. 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 0.4 miles (IA 946 / Locust Street Conn): Navigation decision point; at 87.7 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waterloo, IA before heading back.
