How far is Dubuque, IA from Carter Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Carter Lake, IA is about 326.1 miles (524.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 282.8 miles (455.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 19m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dubuque and Carter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque and Carter Lake.
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1
Start on Central Avenue
929 ft · 34 sec · Central Avenue
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2
Take the ramp straight toward US 61 South, US 151 South
1021 ft · 28 sec
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3
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 8 min
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4
Take the exit slight right
57 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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5
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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6
Turn right
15.2 mi · 19 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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9
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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10
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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12
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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13
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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15
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.7 mi · 26 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
2.9 mi · 3 min
-
19
Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2 mi · 2 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West
1.7 mi · 3 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
1472 ft · 40 sec
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22
Turn right onto North 14th Street
1994 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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23
Turn right onto Izard Street
1113 ft · 31 sec · Izard Street
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24
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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25
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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26
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dubuque and Carter Lake.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 80 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 01h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Dubuque and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dubuque to Carter Lake?
The road trip is about 326.1 miles (524.8 km) and usually takes 06h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mingo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.7 miles from Dubuque and 163.4 miles from Carter Lake.
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 43.3 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.40 one way or $86.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Dubuque and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
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 Dubuque and Carter Lake. Straight-line distance: 282.77 mi (455.08 km).
#1 Dubuque
The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.
| Population | 57,781 |
| Coordinates | 42.5005600, -90.6645700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carter Lake (-95.91807, 41.29055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 525 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.40 | $86.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.57 | $107.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.05 | $122.10 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.