Embarking from Ottumwa to Dubuque, Iowa, this 179.2-mile journey takes approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using North Wapello Street, Highway 63, and Highway 149, with a 0% highway share indicating a local driving experience. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $27. Given its manageable length and the nature of the roads, it offers a straightforward drive through the Midwest region of Iowa. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and enjoy the scenery as you travel.
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
86.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 151
49.7 mi
58m
State Highway 149
41.2 mi
57m
I 80
29 mi
31m
State Highway 1
15.5 mi
21m
M Avenue
11.7 mi
16m
Highway 1 Northeast
10.7 mi
14m
Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi
6m
1st Avenue South
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 49.7 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottumwa, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on West Fourth Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Fourth Street
2
Turn right onto US 63 Business; IA 149
395 ft·5 sec·North Wapello Street
3
Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149
4.8 mi·6 min·Old US Highway 63
4
Continue on IA 149
5.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 149
5
Continue on IA 149
4.7 mi·6 min·State Highway 149
6
Continue on IA 149
1.2 mi·1 min·West 6th Street
7
Continue on IA 149
2.4 mi·3 min·State Highway 149
8
Continue on IA 149
0.2 mi·16 sec·Main Street
9
Continue on IA 149
1.7 mi·2 min·State Highway 149
10
Continue on IA 149
10 mi·14 min·State Highway 149
11
Continue on IA 149
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
12
Turn right onto IA 92; IA 149
0.8 mi·1 min·East Jackson Street
13
Continue on IA 92; IA 149
0.5 mi·45 sec·State Highway 92
14
Turn left onto IA 149
11 mi·15 min·State Highway 149
15
Continue on IA 22; IA 149
0.5 mi·48 sec·Main Street
16
Turn left onto IA 149
5.2 mi·7 min·State Highway 149
17
Continue on IA 149
12 mi·16 min·M Avenue
18
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
19
Merge onto I 80
29 mi·31 min·I 80
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
21
Turn left onto IA 1
0.7 mi·1 min·North Dodge Street
22
Continue on IA 1
7.5 mi·10 min·Highway 1 Northeast
23
Continue on IA 1
1.4 mi·2 min·South Market Street
24
Continue on IA 1
3.2 mi·4 min·Highway 1 Northeast
25
Continue on IA 1
5.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 1
26
Enter roundabout onto IA 1
132 ft·5 sec·State Highway 1
27
Continue on IA 1
0.1 mi·18 sec·State Highway 1
28
Continue on IA 1
1.5 mi·2 min·1st Avenue South
29
Continue on IA 1
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 1
30
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
31
Merge onto US 151
45 mi·51 min·US 151
32
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi·7 min·US 151
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi·1 min·US 61; US 151
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
35
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
36
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
37
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
38
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 1-day, 179.2-mile trip from Ottumwa to Dubuque, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours. The estimated fuel cost is $27, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Ottumwa. With a duration of just over 3 hours and one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to local road signage, especially when transitioning between Highway 63 and Highway 149, as the 'turn-heavy' profile requires vigilance.
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 86.7 miles from Ottumwa, IA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.7 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 38 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.7 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
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 Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa, IA
This is one driving day of about 173.4 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Ottumwa, 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 151 for about 49.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 173.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 63 Business; IA 149 / North Wapello Street
Turn right onto US 63 Business; IA 149 / North Wapello Street
Navigation decision point
5
110 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|IA 1 / State Highway 1
Enter roundabout onto IA 1 / State Highway 1
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
172.9 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
173.3 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
5
173.4 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.11 one way
$54.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.76
$59.53
premium
$4.89
$33.37
$66.74
diesel
$5.61
$38.28
$76.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.21
$8.32
Efficient EV
43.4
0
$15.17
$6.94
EV Truck/SUV
69.4
0
$24.28
$11.10
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ottumwa, IA
Late night
in Ottumwa on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Late night
in Dubuque on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
3h 44m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy,' meaning you'll encounter frequent turns and changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. With no highway segments, expect a more engaged driving experience on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the overall profile suggests a continuous series of local road navigation. As you progress from Ottumwa towards Dubuque, the route will likely involve navigating through various towns and rural areas, requiring constant attention to road signs and conditions.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.7 mi on US 151.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 151 and State Highway 149. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 63 Business; IA 149 / North Wapello Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 173.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.2 miles (US 63 Business; IA 149 / North Wapello Street): Navigation decision point; at 110 miles (IA 1 / State Highway 1): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 172.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.7 miles on US 151. 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 0.2 miles (US 63 Business; IA 149 / North Wapello Street): Navigation decision point; at 110 miles (IA 1 / State Highway 1): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 172.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Dubuque, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
