This 340.6-mile drive from Rock Valley to Dubuque, Iowa, is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours to complete. With a fuel cost around $53, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route primarily uses local roads like 220th Street and US 20, with a 28% share of highway driving. Expect a turn-heavy local drive that makes for an engaging journey rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Given its duration, it's manageable in one day, allowing for approximately two planned stops.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
170.3 miles from Rock Valley, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
164.9 mi
3h 10m
US 20
81.4 mi
1h 36m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
State Highway 3
8.6 mi
11m
Jackson Avenue
8 mi
11m
400th Street
7.5 mi
10m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
Log Avenue
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 164.9 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Valley, IA and Dubuque, IA.
1
Start on 15th Street
28 ft·3 sec·15th Street
2
Turn right onto CR K30
0.4 mi·1 min·16th Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 18
0.8 mi·1 min·10th Street
4
Continue on US 18
5.2 mi·7 min·310th Street
5
Continue on US 18; US 75
1.0 mi·1 min·US 18; US 75
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto US 18
2.0 mi·2 min·320th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 18
1.0 mi·1 min·Black Forest Road
8
Continue on US 18
2.9 mi·4 min·320th Street
9
Turn right onto CR K64
8.0 mi·11 min·Jackson Avenue
10
Turn left onto B40
7.5 mi·10 min·400th Street
11
Continue on Birch Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·Birch Street
12
Continue on Cedar Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Cedar Street
13
Continue on 6th Avenue South
0.1 mi·15 sec·6th Avenue South
14
Turn right onto Fir Street
0.1 mi·16 sec·Fir Street
15
Turn right onto L22
0.3 mi·28 sec·County Road S
16
Continue on L22
5.8 mi·8 min·Log Avenue
17
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
18
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
19
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
20
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
22
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
23
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi·6 min·490th Street
24
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
25
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
26
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
27
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
28
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
29
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
30
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
31
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
32
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
33
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
34
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
165 mi·3 hr 10 min·220th Street
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20
81 mi·1 hr 36 min·US 20
36
Turn left onto IA 946
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Locust Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn straight onto IA 946
0.1 mi·20 sec·IA 946
Toward IA 946
38
At end of road, turn left onto US 61; US 151
418 ft·13 sec·US 61; US 151
Use the left lane.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 189AToward White Street, Port of Dubuque
40
Continue on White Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·White Street
41
Turn left onto East 7th Street
284 ft·19 sec·East 7th Street
42
Turn left onto Central Avenue
31 ft·1 sec·Central Avenue
43
Arrive at destination
Central Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 340.6-mile journey, plan to depart early in the morning to allow ample time for your two stops and to arrive in Dubuque before evening. The route is predominantly local roads, so keep an eye on your GPS for frequent turns, especially during the longest 164.9-mile stretch on 220th Street. With a manageable fuel cost of $53, you won't break the bank, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Rock Valley. This drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in how you structure your stops.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.3 miles from Rock Valley, IA, or about 3h 41m 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 75 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.3 miles or 3h 41m 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 49m
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 Rock Valley, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rock Valley, IA
This is one driving day of about 340.6 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Rock Valley, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 340.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
7.3 mi into trip|~11m in|US 18 / 320th Street
Turn left onto US 18 / 320th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
29.3 mi into trip|~42m in|L22 / County Road S
Turn right onto L22 / County Road S
Navigation decision point
6
40.4 mi into trip|~58m in|IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
340.1 mi into trip|~7h 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
340.2 mi into trip|~7h 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.63 one way
$113.26 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$61.68
$123.37
premium
$5.18
$69.50
$139.00
diesel
$5.35
$71.74
$143.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.2
1
$35.76
$16.35
Efficient EV
85.2
0
$29.80
$13.62
EV Truck/SUV
136.2
1
$47.68
$21.80
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Rock Valley, IA
Afternoon
in Rock Valley on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dubuque, IA
Afternoon
in Dubuque on Wednesday
Local time
3:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 5 mph10% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 2m 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?
This drive offers a varied driving experience, leaning heavily towards local roads with a 'turn-heavy' profile. While 28% of the journey involves highway travel, the bulk of your time will be spent navigating through communities and countryside. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 164.9 miles on 220th Street, providing a significant segment of uninterrupted driving before you need to make a turn. This mix of road types means you'll experience different pacing and scenery throughout the 7-hour trip.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
43 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 7.3 miles in near US 18 / 320th Street.
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 7h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 19 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (US 18 / 320th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (L22 / County Road S): Navigation decision point; at 40.4 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,479 ft623 ft
Total Climb
452 ft
Total Descent
1,076 ft
Highest Point
1,479 ft
~48.7 mi in
Elevation Range
857 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 7h 2m. Total distance: 340.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m 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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (US 18 / 320th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 29.3 miles (L22 / County Road S): Navigation decision point; at 40.4 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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.
