How far is Carter Lake, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Carter Lake, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 331.2 miles (533 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 282.8 miles (455.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 35m 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 05h 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carter Lake and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carter Lake and Dubuque.
-
1
Start on North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
-
2
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
-
3
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
-
4
Continue on Izard Street
1113 ft · 38 sec · Izard Street
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 14th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
-
6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 480 East
1781 ft · 34 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City
1483 ft · 36 sec
-
9
Keep slight left
4.6 mi · 6 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
11
Continue straight
118.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
-
13
Keep slight left
4.5 mi · 5 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
-
15
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
-
16
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
-
17
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
-
19
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
-
21
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
-
23
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
24
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road
-
25
Continue on 200th Avenue
32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue
-
26
Keep slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
-
27
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
-
29
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
-
30
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
-
31
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carter Lake and Dubuque.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 East
Continue straight
118 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Sunny leaving Carter Lake and Sunny near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carter Lake to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 331.2 miles (533 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?
Mingo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.2 miles from Carter Lake and 168 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 282.8 miles (455.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.4 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 6:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.08 one way or $88.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 103.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carter Lake and Sunny near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Mingo
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 Mingo.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carter Lake and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 282.77 mi (455.08 km).
#1 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| 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: 533 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.08 | $88.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.72 | $99.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $54.41 | $108.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $62.00 | $124.01 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.