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Trip from Hampton, 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 6m

Distance

148.9 mi

240 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

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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city in Iowa, United States

Hampton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Dubuque, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 152.9-mile drive from Hampton, IA to Dubuque, IA is a straightforward, one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes to complete. With a projected fuel cost of $23, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. You'll primarily be on local roads, indicated by the 0% highway share, suggesting a more intimate exploration of the Iowa landscape. This route is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing ample time for travel and exploration at your destination without the need for an overnight stay. It offers a practical and accessible option for connecting these two Iowa communities.

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

74.5 miles from Hampton, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 81.4 mi 1h 36m
210th Street 18 mi 24m
Avenue of the Saints 15.3 mi 17m
State Highway 3 12.5 mi 17m
Leo P Rooff Expressway 6.7 mi 8m
I 380 6.5 mi 7m
Washington Street 2.4 mi 3m
South Street 1.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 81.4 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 65

27 ft · 8 sec · 4th Street Northeast
2

Turn left onto IA 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue East
3

Continue on IA 3

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3
4

Continue on IA 3

1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street
5

Continue on IA 3

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Street
6

Continue on IA 3

7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street
7

Continue on IA 3; IA 14

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3
8

Continue on IA 3

8.8 mi · 11 min · 210th Street
9

Continue on IA 3

3.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3
10

Continue on IA 3

1.7 mi · 2 min · 230th Street
11

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
12

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

15 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
13

Take the exit

317 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
14

Continue on US 218

0.3 mi · 39 sec · US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
15

Merge onto US 218

6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
16

Continue on US 218

2.4 mi · 3 min · Washington Street
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

6.5 mi · 7 min · I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

81 mi · 1 hr 36 min · US 20
19

Turn left onto IA 946

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
20

Turn straight onto IA 946

0.1 mi · 20 sec · IA 946
Toward IA 946
21

At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151

418 ft · 13 sec · US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 189A Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
23

Continue on White Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · White Street
24

Turn left onto East 7th Street

284 ft · 19 sec · East 7th Street
25

Turn left onto Central Avenue

31 ft · 1 sec · Central Avenue
26

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 35-minute duration, departing Hampton, IA in the morning allows you to reach Dubuque, IA with plenty of daylight. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in pacing your journey; perhaps a mid-morning break would be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $23 estimated cost is based on the total mileage, and local roads can sometimes be less direct. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to ensure your GPS or navigation system is set to avoid highways, maximizing your time on the intended local roads.

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 74.5 miles from Hampton, IA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 33 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 33m

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 Hampton, 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 Hampton, IA

This is one driving day of about 148.9 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Hampton, 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 81.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waterloo, IA

74 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

Shell Rock, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oelwein, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.5 miles from Hampton, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.4 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

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dubuque, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Sunshine Family Restaurant West

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.9

Dubuque, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hampton, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 63.8

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 31.9

Shell Rock, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 63.8

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 60.3 and 148.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
60.3 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | I 380

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
148.4 mi into trip | ~3h 5m 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
148.5 mi into trip | ~3h 5m 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
5
148.9 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | East 7th Street

Turn left onto East 7th Street

Navigation decision point

5
148.9 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | Central Avenue

Turn left onto Central Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.28 one way

$46.56 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.56 $51.12
premium $4.89 $28.65 $57.31
diesel $5.61 $32.88 $65.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.7 0 $15.63 $7.15
Efficient EV 37.2 0 $13.03 $5.96
EV Truck/SUV 59.6 0 $20.85 $9.53

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% 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

Hampton, IA

Late night in Hampton on Sunday

Local time

2:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dubuque, IA

Late night in Dubuque on Sunday

Local time

2:42 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Waterloo, IA

74 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 6m 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 on this route, as you'll be navigating roads like Central Avenue East and Highway 3. With a 0% highway share, this isn't about high-speed cruising; rather, it's a more engaging experience with frequent directional changes. There isn't a particularly long uninterrupted stretch, so be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires your attention. The route progresses through varied local scenery, offering a different feel than a typical interstate journey. This drive provides a hands-on connection with the Iowa countryside.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and 210th Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 60.3 miles in near I 380.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 60.3 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.4 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 148.5 miles: 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 Hampton, IA to Dubuque, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Cedar Falls along the way.

Cedar Falls

60.3 mi in | ~1h 20m | via I 380

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 6m. Total distance: 148.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.4 miles on US 20. 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: at 60.3 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.4 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 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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