How far is Atlantic, IA from Dubuque, IA?

Fastest route

The distance from Atlantic, Iowa 50022, to Dubuque, Iowa, is approximately 275 miles (442 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 4 hours and 10 minutes. The suggested route is via I-80 E and US-30 E.

Directions

  1. Head west toward Poplar St.
  2. Turn right onto Poplar St.
  3. Take I-80 E to IA-330 N in Jasper County.
  4. Turn right onto W 7th St/White Pole Rd.
  5. Turn right to merge onto I-80 E toward Des Moines.
  6. Keep right at the fork to stay on I-80 E, following signs for I-35 N/Chicago/Minneapolis.
  7. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 142 for US-6 W toward US-65 N/IA-330 N/Marshalltown/Bondurant.
  8. Turn left onto US-6 E/NE Hubbell Ave, continue to follow NE Hubbell Ave.
  9. Get on US-30 E in Marshall County from IA-330 N.
  10. Turn right to merge onto US-30 E.
  11. Follow US-30 E and US-151 N to White St in Dubuque.
  12. Take the White St exit from US-151 N/US-61 N.
  13. Keep left to continue on US-218 S/US-30 E, following signs for US-151 N/IA-13 N/Marion.
  14. Continue onto IA-13 N/US-151 N.
  15. Turn right onto US-151 N/Marion Airport Rd/Old Dubuque Rd, continue to follow US-151 N.
  16. Keep left at the fork, following signs for US-61 N/US-151 N/Dubuque, and merge onto US-151 N/US-61 N.
  17. Take the White St exit toward Port of Dubuque.
  18. Follow White St to E 14th St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Plan for around 4 hours and 10 minutes of driving time, considering traffic and rest breaks.
  • ⛽ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey, as some stretches might have limited gas stations.
  • 📱 Keep a GPS or map app handy to stay on track and find alternative routes if needed.
  • 🍔 Pack some snacks and water for the road to avoid unnecessary stops and stay refreshed.
  • 🚧 Check for any road closures or construction updates along the route to avoid delays.
  • 🛣️ Enjoy the scenic drive through different counties of Iowa.
  • 🏨 If you plan to stay in Dubuque, book accommodations in advance to ensure availability.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
274.97 mi
04h 26m
Flight
235.96 mi
379.74 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atlantic.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
235.96 mi
Kilometers
379.74 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.97 mi
Kilometers
442.52 km
Drive Time
04h 26m

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 04h 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dubuque
Sat, Apr 18, 3:47 AM CDT
Return by in Atlantic
Sat, Apr 18, 8:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atlantic
2026-04-17T23:21
Arrive Dubuque
Sat, Apr 18, 3:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Atlantic
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Le Grand
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States

From Atlantic
135.2 mi
02h 13m
To Dubuque
139.8 mi
02h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 21 mph SSW
Destination
79°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Atlantic and Dubuque.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic and Dubuque.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    69 m · 21 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Chestnut Street

    81 m · 9 sec · Chestnut Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 7th Street

    3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 650th Street

    6.4 mi · 9 min · 650th Street

  5. 5

    Take the exit right

    62 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    4.5 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant

    2428 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road

    33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road

  11. 11

    Take the exit right

    2792 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway

    37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast

  17. 17

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Marion Airport Road

    24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road

  19. 19

    Continue on 200th Avenue

    32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    5.1 mi · 7 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque

    1432 ft · 32 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on White Street

    638 ft · 27 sec · White Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlantic and Dubuque.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
650th Street
68.4 mi · 25%
200th Avenue
38.6 mi · 14%
Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 13%
Northeast Hubbell Road
34 mi · 12%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 10%
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

650th Street

Take the exit right

62 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 26m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.1 mi
235.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Le Grand
02h 13m from Atlantic
Leave By
8:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Atlantic and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dubuque.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Atlantic to Dubuque?

The road trip is about 275 miles (442.5 km) and usually takes 04h 26m 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?

Le Grand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.2 miles from Atlantic and 139.8 miles from Dubuque.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.1 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 8:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.58 one way or $73.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Atlantic and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dubuque.

Stop Ideas Near Le Grand

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Le Grand, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Le Grand.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

114 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atlantic and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 235.96 mi (379.74 km).

Atlantic

#1 Atlantic

City in Iowa

Population6,513
Coordinates41.4036000, -95.0138800
Altitude369
CountryUnited States
Dubuque

#2 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: (-95.013873, 41.403358)
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 443 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.7 gal
36.73 L · about $36.58
Round trip
$73.16
19.4 gal · 73.46 L
Estimated CO2
86.2 kg one way
Round trip: 172.4 kg / 380 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $36.58 $73.16
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.25 $82.51
Premium $4.65 $45.14 $90.29
Diesel $5.30 $51.45 $102.90

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Atlantic and Dubuque. The current time is 23:21:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.