Traveling from Osceola County to Dubuque spans 322.8 miles across the Iowa landscape. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel for this journey, which is best handled as a single-day trip. Budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance between these two points. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, your pace will be steady but require more focus than a typical high-speed cruise. This drive connects the western and eastern edges of the state, taking you entirely through the Midwest region. It is a straightforward, practical path for those who prefer local backroads over the monotony of heavy highway traffic.
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
161.3 miles from Osceola County, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
164.9 mi
3h 10m
US 20
81.4 mi
1h 36m
Silver Avenue
13.5 mi
19m
County Highway A30
13 mi
17m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Railroad Street
6.6 mi
9m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
470th Street
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on Silver Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Silver Avenue
2
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi·3 min·190th Street
3
Turn left onto US 59
13 mi·17 min·County Highway A30
4
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi·1 min·320th Street
5
Turn right onto US 59
6.0 mi·8 min·Silver Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi·2 min·North Rerick Avenue
7
Continue on US 59
7.2 mi·9 min·Silver Avenue
8
Continue on US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi·5 min·470th Street
9
Turn right onto US 59
4.0 mi·5 min·Tanager Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 59
3.1 mi·4 min·Q Avenue
11
Continue on US 59
6.6 mi·9 min·Railroad Street
12
Turn left onto IA 3
2.7 mi·3 min·State Highway 3
13
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
14
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
15
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
16
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
17
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
18
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
19
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
165 mi·3 hr 10 min·220th Street
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi·1 hr 36 min·US 20
22
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi·20 sec·IA 946
Toward IA 946
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft·13 sec·US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
26
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
27
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
28
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a full-day commitment, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for the 5-hour and 16-minute transit. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turns on local roads can be more fatiguing than highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads may offer fewer service options than major corridors; ensure you have your $48 fuel budget ready before you head out. Because you are relying on local roads like 190th Street and County Highway A30, verify your navigation before leaving to ensure you stay on the intended path. The flexibility of this route allows you to set your own pace, so prioritize comfort and safety over speed.
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 161.3 miles from Osceola County, IA, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 164.9 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 71 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.3 miles or 3h 27m 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 27m
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 Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, IA
This is one driving day of about 322.6 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Osceola County, 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 164.9 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
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.3 and 322.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.3 mi into trip|~24m in|US 59 / Silver Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
34.2 mi into trip|~50m in|US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Turn right onto US 59 / Tanager Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
322.1 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
322.2 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
322.6 mi into trip|~6h 37m in|East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.43 one way
$100.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$55.38
$110.75
premium
$4.89
$62.08
$124.16
diesel
$5.61
$71.23
$142.45
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: 112.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.8
1
$33.87
$15.48
Efficient EV
80.7
0
$28.23
$12.90
EV Truck/SUV
129
1
$45.16
$20.65
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Osceola County, IA
Evening
in Osceola County on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Evening
in Dubuque on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Nevada, IA
161 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
3 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you actively engaged with the steering wheel. With 0% highway share, you will navigate via 190th Street, County Highway A30, and 320th Street for the duration of the trip. The character of this route is defined by its rural connectivity rather than high-speed interstate travel. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, so expect a consistent rhythm of turns and intersection navigation. This is a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you traverse the Iowa countryside.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 164.9 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 15.3 miles in near US 59 / Silver Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
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 37m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 322.1 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 322.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 164.9 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 15.3 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.2 miles (US 59 / Tanager Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 322.1 miles (US 61; US 151): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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.
