How far is Cherokee, IA from Dubuque, IA?

The driving distance from Cherokee, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 274.9 miles (442.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 249 miles (400.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
274.93 mi
04h 25m
Flight
249.01 mi
400.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cherokee.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
249.01 mi
Kilometers
400.75 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
274.93 mi
Kilometers
442.45 km
Drive Time
04h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 4:28 AM CDT
Return by in Cherokee
Thu, Apr 23, 8:54 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cherokee
2026-04-23T00:03
Arrive Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 4:28 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 25m
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 Cherokee
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
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Cherokee
136.8 mi
02h 12m
To Dubuque
138.1 mi
02h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    32 m · 13 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 2nd Street

    48 m · 9 sec · South 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 977

    1852 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 977

  5. 5

    Continue on 530th Street

    3.7 mi · 5 min · 530th Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto V Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

    164.9 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto IA 946

    708 ft · 21 sec

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left

    128 m · 13 sec

  17. 17

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

    1432 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on White Street

    638 ft · 27 sec · White Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
246 mi · 90%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 3%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 2%
530th Street
3.65 mi · 1%
State Highway 7
2.08 mi · 1%
V Avenue
1.95 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

165 mi · 03h 10m

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 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.9 mi
249 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
02h 12m from Cherokee
Leave By
8:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cherokee and Mostly Sunny near Dubuque.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 274.9 miles (442.4 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.8 miles from Cherokee and 138.1 miles from Dubuque.

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

The direct path is about 249 miles (400.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 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 Showers And Thunderstorms around Cherokee and Mostly Sunny near Dubuque.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cherokee and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 249.01 mi (400.75 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Cherokee

Native American people indigenous to the Southeastern United States

Population4,841
Coordinates42.7494300, -95.5516700
Altitude364
CountryUnited States
Dubuque

#2 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: (-95.551676, 42.749263)
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 442 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
36.72 L · about $36.58
Round trip
$73.16
19.4 gal · 73.44 L
Estimated CO2
86.2 kg one way
Round trip: 172.4 kg / 380 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Cherokee and Dubuque. The current time is 00:03:01.

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.