How far is Clear Lake, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Clear Lake, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 183.2 miles (294.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m 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 01m.
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.
The most populous city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clear Lake and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake and Dubuque.
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1
Start on North 6th Street
24 m · 6 sec · North 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
57 m · 10 sec · 1st Avenue North
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3
Turn right onto North 8th Street
1671 ft · 34 sec · North 8th Street
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4
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
1.1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue South
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
1796 ft · 44 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.7 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
2212 ft · 27 sec
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8
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
81.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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10
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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12
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
6.5 mi · 8 min
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14
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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15
Turn left onto South Locust Street
553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street
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16
Turn straight onto IA 946
708 ft · 21 sec
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17
At the end of the road, turn left
128 m · 13 sec
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18
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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19
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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20
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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21
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clear Lake and Dubuque.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-380 south
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 183.2 miles (294.9 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Waterloo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.5 miles from Clear Lake and 91.8 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.5 miles (232.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.40 one way or $48.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Clear Lake and Mostly Sunny near Dubuque.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clear Lake and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 144.46 mi (232.48 km).
#1 Clear Lake
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,517 |
| Coordinates | 43.1380200, -93.3793700 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| 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: 295 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 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 | $24.40 | $48.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.52 | $55.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.11 | $60.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.32 | $68.63 |
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.