Perry, IA to Dubuque, IA is 215.6 miles and takes about 4h 20m via 230th Street, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest's rolling terrain. With a high percentage of surface roads, expect a more scenic and potentially slower pace compared to interstate travel. It's a straightforward, single-day option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive highway time.
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
107.8 miles from Perry, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
230th Street
77.2 mi
1h 29m
200th Avenue
32.4 mi
37m
73rd Street
26.8 mi
30m
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi
27m
220th Street
12.8 mi
15m
H Avenue
11.4 mi
15m
IA 100
9.4 mi
11m
US 151
6.2 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
230th Street
— 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Perry, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on Willis Avenue
135 ft·10 sec·Willis Avenue
2
Turn sharp left onto McColl Street
452 ft·21 sec·McColl Street
3
Turn right onto IA 144
0.5 mi·1 min·1st Avenue
4
Turn left onto IA 141
3.6 mi·4 min·George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
5
Continue on IA 141
0.2 mi·13 sec·Northwest Granger Drive
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
7
Turn left onto US 169
1.9 mi·2 min·N Avenue
8
Continue on US 169
11 mi·15 min·H Avenue
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
10
Merge onto US 30
13 mi·15 min·220th Street
11
Continue on US 30
77 mi·1 hr 29 min·230th Street
12
Continue on US 30
27 mi·30 min·73rd Street
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
14
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi·11 min·IA 100
15
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi·7 min·Collins Road Northeast
16
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
17
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi·27 min·Marion Airport Road
18
Continue on US 151
32 mi·37 min·200th Avenue
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
5.1 mi·7 min·US 151
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 61; US 151
1.1 mi·1 min·US 61; US 151
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
22
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
23
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
24
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 20-minute duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Consider leaving mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and arrive in Dubuque with time to spare before evening. The longest stretch without a major highway is 77.2 miles on 230th Street, so plan for a potential fuel stop before or at the beginning of that segment if your tank is low. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to add more as needed based on your pace and preferences.
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 107.8 miles from Perry, IA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 47 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 miles or 2h 11m 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 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 Perry, 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 Perry, IA
This is one driving day of about 215.6 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Perry, 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 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
Atkins, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13194462739
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 0 and 215.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|McColl Street
Turn sharp left onto McColl Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
135.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
6
215.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
215.6 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|East 7th Street
Turn left onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
5
215.6 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|Central Avenue
Turn left onto Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.96 one way
$71.93 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$39.09
$78.18
premium
$5.26
$44.64
$89.28
diesel
$6.18
$52.45
$104.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.7
0
$22.64
$10.35
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.87
$8.62
EV Truck/SUV
86.2
1
$30.18
$13.80
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Perry, IA
Morning
in Perry on Sunday
Local time
8:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SSW 3 to 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Morning
in Dubuque on Sunday
Local time
8:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 2:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
56°F
Fairfax, IA
108 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
4h 20m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 primarily on surface roads, with highway driving making up only 8% of the total distance. You'll experience mostly rural cruising, with a significant stretch of 77.2 miles on 230th Street. Expect to transition from any initial highway sections to these surface roads fairly early in your trip. The longest continuous segment on surface roads will give you a good feel for the Iowa landscape.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.2 mi on 230th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near McColl Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 215.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (McColl Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,128 ft623 ft
Total Climb
659 ft
Total Descent
1,000 ft
Highest Point
1,128 ft
~30.8 mi in
Elevation Range
506 ft
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 Perry, IA to Dubuque, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•St. Raphael's Cathedral — church in Dubuque, Iowa
•Lock and Dam No. 11 — lock and dam on the Mississippi River located between Dubuque, Iowa and rural Gr...
•Julien Dubuque Bridge — bridge in Illinois and Iowa, U.S
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 215.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.2 miles on 230th 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. 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: near the start (McColl Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 135.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Dubuque, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
