How far is Des Moines, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 202 miles (325.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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 06m.
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 Benton County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Dubuque.
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1
Start on East University Avenue
147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue
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2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East 14th Street
1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
1.3 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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12
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
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18
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
19
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road
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20
Continue on 200th Avenue
32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue
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21
Keep slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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22
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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24
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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25
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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26
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines 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 Likely leaving Des Moines 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 Des Moines to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 202 miles (325.1 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Van Horne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.4 miles from Des Moines and 107.6 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.4 miles (262.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 10:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.89 one way or $53.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Van Horne
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 Van Horne.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 163.36 mi (262.9 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| 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: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.89 | $53.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.32 | $60.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.82 | $75.64 |
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.