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Trip from Fort Madison, IA to Dubuque, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

168.6 mi

271 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 10m ★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
city and county seat in Lee County, Iowa, United States

Fort Madison, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Dubuque, Iowa, United States

Dubuque, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 168.7-mile drive from Fort Madison, IA, to Dubuque, IA, will take you approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical journey. You'll primarily be on local roads, indicated by the 0% highway share, suggesting a more intimate connection with the landscape. This route is recommended for a single day, allowing you to fully experience the Midwest scenery without feeling rushed. The single stop suggested provides a good opportunity for a break.

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

84.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Brady Street 64.6 mi 1h 16m
US 61 Business 49.2 mi 59m
US 61 22.2 mi 27m
U.S. 61 20.3 mi 22m
Douglas King Memorial Expressway 7.1 mi 8m
354th Avenue 3.3 mi 4m
Avenue H 0.8 mi 1m
West River Drive 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Brady Street — 64.6 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Dubuque, IA.

1

Start on this road

61 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Avenue I

139 ft · 8 sec · Avenue I
3

Turn right onto US 61 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · Avenue H
4

Turn slight left onto US 61 Business

0.3 mi · 24 sec · 2nd Street
5

Continue on US 61 Business

3.3 mi · 4 min · 354th Avenue
6

Take the ramp onto US 61 Business

49 mi · 59 min · US 61 Business
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on US 61; IA 92

8.8 mi · 10 min · US 61; IA 92
8

Turn left onto US 61; IA 92

7.1 mi · 8 min · Douglas King Memorial Expressway
9

Continue on US 61

20 mi · 22 min · U.S. 61
10

Continue on US 61

0.4 mi · 34 sec · West River Drive
11

Turn left onto US 61

6.2 mi · 7 min · US 61
12

Take the exit onto US 61

5.8 mi · 7 min · US 61
Toward I 80 East, US 61 North: Chicago
13

Take the exit onto US 61

0.3 mi · 42 sec · US 61
Toward US 61 North: Eldridge, DeWitt
14

Merge onto US 61

65 mi · 1 hr 16 min · North Brady Street
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 61; US 151
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 189A Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
17

Continue on White Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · White Street
18

Turn left onto East 7th Street

284 ft · 19 sec · East 7th Street
19

Turn left onto Central Avenue

31 ft · 1 sec · Central Avenue
20

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 53-minute duration, this 168.7-mile trip is easily manageable in a single day. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for an unplanned stop. With a fuel cost of around $26, it's a budget-friendly excursion. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means paying close attention to your navigation and local signage is key; don't be afraid to pull over briefly if you need to reorient yourself. One stop is recommended, so plan for a brief stretch or a quick refreshment break.

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 84.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.6 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 37 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 84.3 miles or 1h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 45m

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 Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, IA

This is one driving day of about 168.6 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fort Madison, 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 North Brady Street for about 64.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Muscatine, IA

84 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

Muscatine, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Andalusia, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.3 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Brady Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Park View Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Eldridge, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.4

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15632859375

Visit website

Headquarters Muscatine

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muscatine, Iowa

2.6 mi

All American Diner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Muscatine, Iowa

2.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Vault Coffee & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Eldridge, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.4

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18334282858

Visit website

Park View Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 108.4

Eldridge, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15632859375

Visit website

Headquarters Muscatine

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 60.2

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15632617003

Visit website

All American Diner

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.3

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15632632224

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 168.6

Dubuque, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Muscatine Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.3

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15632635490

Visit website

Machine Shed Restaurant Davenport

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.4

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15633912427

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.3

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+15633162046

Visit website

Culver’s

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.4

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm

+15633866700

Visit website

The Vault Coffee & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 108.4

Eldridge, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+18334282858

Visit website

The Coffee Belt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.3

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15632646963

Black Pearl Café

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.3

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15632885307

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 72.3

Muscatine, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15632625587

Visit website

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 and 168.2 — 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 | Avenue I

Turn right onto Avenue I

Navigation decision point

6
4.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 61 Business

Take the ramp onto US 61 Business

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
96.4 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | US 61

Take the exit onto US 61 toward I 80 East, US 61 North: Chicago

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80 East, US 61 North: Chicago
5
102.2 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in | US 61

Take the exit onto US 61 toward US 61 North: Eldridge, DeWitt

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 61 North: Eldridge, DeWitt
6
168.2 mi into trip | ~3h 20m 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

$26.36 one way

$52.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.94 $57.88
premium $4.89 $32.45 $64.89
diesel $5.61 $37.22 $74.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.6 0 $17.70 $8.09
Efficient EV 42.2 0 $14.75 $6.74
EV Truck/SUV 67.4 0 $23.60 $10.79

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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 15, 2026

Origin

Fort Madison, IA

Morning in Fort Madison on Sunday

Local time

6:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dubuque, IA

Morning in Dubuque on Sunday

Local time

6:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live 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

26 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 22m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate from Fort Madison to Dubuque, covering 168.7 miles. With no highway segments, your journey will be characterized by frequent turns and a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be constantly adjusting your path. This type of route offers a closer look at the communities you pass through, rather than a fast interstate transit.

59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.6 mi on North Brady Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue I.

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 3h 22m drive. You will face about 11 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 (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.4 miles (US 61): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Fort Madison, IA to Dubuque, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Dewitt along the way.

Dewitt

102.2 mi in | ~2h 2m | via US 61

About the Cities

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.

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 3h 22m. Total distance: 168.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (59%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 64.6 miles on North Brady Street. 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 96.4 miles (US 61): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Dubuque, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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