How far is Altoona, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Altoona, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.3 miles (250 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Dubuque.
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1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.6 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue South
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North
33 m · 2 sec · 1st Avenue North
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3
Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
3028 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue North
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4
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
767 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 72nd Street
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5
Continue on Grant Street South
1.3 mi · 2 min · Grant Street South
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6
Continue on Grant Street South
41 m · 8 sec · Grant Street South
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7
Turn right onto Northeast Hubbell Road
32.1 mi · 37 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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8
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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10
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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12
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
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14
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road
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16
Continue on 200th Avenue
32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue
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17
Keep slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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18
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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20
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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21
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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22
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Dubuque.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 184.2 miles (296.4 km) and usually takes 03h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Newhall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.9 miles from Altoona and 94.3 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.3 miles (250 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.51 one way or $49.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Altoona and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Newhall
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Newhall.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 155.31 mi (249.95 km).
#1 Altoona
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 19,503 |
| Coordinates | 41.6441600, -93.4646600 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dubuque
The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.
| Population | 57,781 |
| Coordinates | 42.5005600, -90.6645700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 296 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.51 | $49.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.25 | $60.50 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.48 | $68.95 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.