Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Emmetsburg, IA to Dubuque, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 14m
Distance
257 mi
414 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Emmetsburg, IA
Christiyana Krüger
Dubuque, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Emmetsburg, IA to Dubuque, IA is 257 miles and takes about 5h 14m via US 20, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day transit. It’s a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently 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
128.5 miles from Emmetsburg, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 209.6 mi | 4h 4m |
| 220th Avenue | 22.6 mi | 30m |
| 460th Avenue | 13 mi | 17m |
| Marengo Avenue | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| Marshall Avenue | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 7th Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North East Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 209.6 mi, about 4h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Emmetsburg, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on 8th Street
87 ft
·
8 sec
·
8th Street
2
Turn right onto Lawler Street
332 ft
·
14 sec
·
Lawler Street
3
Turn left onto US 18; IA 4
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto IA 4
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street
5
Continue on IA 4
13 mi
·
17 min
·
460th Avenue
6
Continue on IA 4
11 mi
·
15 min
·
220th Avenue
7
Continue on IA 4
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 7th Street
8
Continue on IA 4
11 mi
·
15 min
·
220th Avenue
9
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Marengo Avenue
10
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North East Street
11
Continue on IA 4; IA 7
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Marengo Avenue
12
Keep slight left at fork onto IA 4
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Marshall Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 20 East
14
Merge onto US 20
128 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
US 20
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
US 20
16
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
IA 946
Toward IA 946
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
20
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
White Street
21
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft
·
19 sec
·
East 7th Street
22
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft
·
1 sec
·
Central Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m duration, starting your drive from Emmetsburg in the morning is ideal, allowing you to reach Dubuque with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to decide when and where to break. The longest stretch on US 20 is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel well before that segment begins. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off US 20 onto the less direct avenues later in the trip.
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 128.5 miles from Emmetsburg, IA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.6 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 57 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.5 miles or 2h 41m 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 Dubuque, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Emmetsburg, 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 Emmetsburg, IA
This is one driving day of about 257 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Emmetsburg, 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 20 for about 209.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.5 miles from Emmetsburg, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 209.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Casey's General Store
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 256.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lawler Street
Turn right onto Lawler Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 18; IA 4 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 18; IA 4 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
46.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
256.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
|
US 61; US 151
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
256.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 189A
Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.95 one way
$75.91 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $41.90 | $83.80 |
| premium | $4.72 | $47.72 | $95.43 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.53 | $97.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.99 | $12.34 |
| Efficient EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.49 | $10.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.98 | $16.45 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Origin
Emmetsburg, IA
Late night in Emmetsburg on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SSW 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:54PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:00PM CDT until July 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Late night in Dubuque on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:54PM CDT until July 15 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 12:00PM CDT until July 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
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
3 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 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 82% of the 257 miles on paved, higher-speed roads like US 20. You'll experience a long stretch of 209.6 miles on US 20, offering a consistent cruising experience. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads like 220th Avenue and 460th Avenue, likely featuring more local traffic and lower speed limits as you approach your destination.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.6 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and 220th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lawler Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 14m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lawler Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 18; IA 4 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,240 ft
623 ft
Total Climb
286 ft
Total Descent
903 ft
Highest Point
1,240 ft
Elevation Range
617 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Emmetsburg, IA
Full guide →Arriving in Dubuque, IA
Full guide →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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 257 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.6 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lawler Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 18; IA 4 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.2 miles: Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dubuque, IA before the return drive.
How this page is built
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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