How far is Dubuque, IA from Creston, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Creston, IA is about 268.6 miles (432.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 214.9 miles (345.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 44m 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
268.59 mi
05h 22m
Flight
214.93 mi
345.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dubuque.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
214.93 mi
Kilometers
345.89 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
268.59 mi
Kilometers
432.25 km
Drive Time
05h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Creston
Sat, Apr 11, 8:27 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Sat, Apr 11, 1:49 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dubuque
2026-04-11T03:05
Arrive Creston
Sat, Apr 11, 8:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:22 AM to 1:22 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
6:16 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dubuque
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
Le Grand
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States

From Dubuque
134.2 mi
02h 41m
To Creston
134.5 mi
02h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
67°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    929 ft · 34 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the ramp straight toward US 61 South, US 151 South

    1021 ft · 28 sec

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    57 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn right

    15.2 mi · 19 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  9. 9

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    13 mi · 16 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    5.6 mi · 6 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    40 mi · 43 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 34: Osceola, Creston

    958 ft · 33 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left

    30.3 mi · 42 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Elm Street

    1 km · 2 min · South Elm Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West Montgomery Street

    690 ft · 30 sec · West Montgomery Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Montgomery Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 61 South
62.8 mi · 23%
I 80 west
58.5 mi · 22%
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 14%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 13%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 9%
16th Avenue Southwest
2.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 61 South

Take the exit slight right

57 mi · 01h 06m

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
05h 22m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.7 mi
214.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Le Grand
02h 41m from Dubuque
Leave By
6:16 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Dubuque and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Creston.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 268.6 miles (432.2 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?

Le Grand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.2 miles from Dubuque and 134.5 miles from Creston.

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

The direct path is about 214.9 miles (345.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.7 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 6:16 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.75 one way or $71.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Dubuque and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Creston.

Stop Ideas Near Le Grand

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Le Grand, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Le Grand.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

114 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Creston. Straight-line distance: 214.93 mi (345.89 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Creston

#2 Creston

City in Iowa

Population7,660
Coordinates41.0586000, -94.3613500
Altitude400
CountryUnited States
Start: Dubuque (-90.66457, 42.50056)
End: Creston (-94.36135, 41.0586)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 432 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.48 gal
35.88 L · about $35.75
Round trip
$71.50
18.96 gal · 71.76 L
Estimated CO2
84.2 kg one way
Round trip: 168.5 kg / 371 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.75 $71.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.32 $80.64
Premium $4.65 $44.12 $88.24
Diesel $5.30 $50.28 $100.56

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Dubuque and Creston. The current time is 03:05:36.

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.