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Trip from Orange City, 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

6h 24m

Distance

318.5 mi

513 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 12m ★
6 AM
6h 25m
8 AM
6h 49m
10 AM
6h 33m
12 PM
6h 31m
3 PM
6h 35m
5 PM
6h 48m
8 PM
6h 17m

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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Downtown Orange City, IA, IA

Orange City, IA

Levent Simsek

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

Dubuque, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 318.5-mile drive from Orange City, IA, to Dubuque, IA, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 24 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via US 20, with a significant portion on 220th Street, covering about 39% of the journey on highways. With a projected fuel cost of $50 and a single recommended stop, this Midwest to Midwest journey offers a straightforward, manageable travel experience. It's a route that can easily be completed in one go, allowing for a full day of exploration upon arrival in Dubuque.

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

159.3 miles from Orange City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 165.9 mi 3h 11m
US 20 81.4 mi 1h 36m
Highway 20 19 mi 22m
State Highway 140 15.1 mi 20m
United States Highway 20 8.3 mi 10m
County Road L14 7 mi 9m
Lee Avenue 5.4 mi 7m
Kiwi Avenue 5 mi 6m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 165.9 mi, about 3h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 2nd Street Northwest

430 ft · 25 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
2

Turn right onto Albany Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Albany Avenue
3

Turn left onto IA 10

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 8th Street Southeast
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on IA 10

0.7 mi · 1 min · 450th Street
5

Enter roundabout onto 450th Street

79 ft · 4 sec · 450th Street
6

Continue on 450th Street

2.0 mi · 2 min · 450th Street
7

Turn right onto IA 10

0.8 mi · 1 min · Kennedy Avenue
8

Continue on IA 10

0.3 mi · 24 sec · State Highway 10
9

Continue on IA 10

1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street
10

Turn right onto L14

5.0 mi · 6 min · Kiwi Avenue
11

Continue on L14

7.0 mi · 9 min · County Road L14
12

Continue on IA 140

15 mi · 20 min · State Highway 140
13

Turn left onto C66

2.0 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
14

Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Shamrock Avenue
15

Continue on L21

5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
16

Turn left onto US 20

19 mi · 22 min · Highway 20
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 20

8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
18

Continue on US 20

166 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street
19

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

81 mi · 1 hr 36 min · US 20
20

Turn left onto IA 946

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
21

Turn straight onto IA 946

0.1 mi · 20 sec · IA 946
Toward IA 946
22

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

418 ft · 13 sec · US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 189A Toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
24

Continue on White Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · White Street
25

Turn left onto East 7th Street

284 ft · 19 sec · East 7th Street
26

Turn left onto Central Avenue

31 ft · 1 sec · Central Avenue
27

Arrive at destination

Central Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour 24-minute duration, starting your trip from Orange City in the morning is advisable to maximize your time in Dubuque. With only one recommended stop and a manageable fuel cost of around $50, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 165.9-mile stretch on 220th Street, as services might be less frequent. This route is well-suited for a single-day push, but consider an early start to avoid feeling rushed.

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 159.3 miles from Orange City, IA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.9 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 70 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 159.3 miles or 3h 16m 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 15m

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 Orange City, 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 Orange City, IA

This is one driving day of about 318.5 miles and 6h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Orange City, 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 220th Street for about 165.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and the county seat of Marshall County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marshalltown, IA

159 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

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marshalltown, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 159.3 miles from Orange City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.9 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 318.5

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 318.5

Dubuque, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15635573000

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 227.5

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 227.5

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 136.5

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

1.7 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 136.5

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 318.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | IA 10 / 8th Street Southeast

Turn left onto IA 10 / 8th Street Southeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
43.2 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | US 20 / Highway 20

Turn left onto US 20 / Highway 20

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
318 mi into trip | ~6h 23m 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
318.1 mi into trip | ~6h 23m 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
318.5 mi into trip | ~6h 24m in | East 7th Street

Turn left onto East 7th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.79 one way

$99.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $54.67 $109.34
premium $4.89 $61.29 $122.58
diesel $5.61 $70.32 $140.64

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: 111.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 95.6 1 $33.44 $15.29
Efficient EV 79.6 0 $27.87 $12.74
EV Truck/SUV 127.4 1 $44.59 $20.38

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Orange City, IA

Evening in Orange City on Saturday

Local time

8:12 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dubuque, IA

Evening in Dubuque on Saturday

Local time

8:12 PM

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

2 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

6h 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending faster highway travel with more local road experiences. While 39% of the journey is on highways, you'll also spend considerable time on roads like 220th Street, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 165.9 miles. This suggests a drive that transitions between efficiency and a more grounded, regional feel as you progress across Iowa. The road's personality shifts, offering varied driving conditions that keep things engaging over the 6-plus hours.

39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.9 mi on 220th 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 around 0.7 miles in near IA 10 / 8th Street Southeast.

Driving Effort 4/10

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 24m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (IA 10 / 8th Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 318 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 318.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (39%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 165.9 miles on 220th 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.

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 Dubuque, 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 0.7 miles (IA 10 / 8th Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 318 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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