How far is Dubuque, IA from Emmetsburg, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Emmetsburg, IA is about 256.7 miles (413.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 208 miles (334.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 27m 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
256.7 mi
05h 13m
Flight
208.02 mi
334.78 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
208.02 mi
Kilometers
334.78 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
256.7 mi
Kilometers
413.12 km
Drive Time
05h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Emmetsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 6:03 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Sat, Apr 18, 11:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dubuque
2026-04-18T00:49
Arrive Emmetsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 6:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:14 AM to 1:14 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
6:32 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
Steamboat Rock
IA

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

From Dubuque
128.1 mi
02h 36m
To Emmetsburg
128.6 mi
02h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
47°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 24 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1248 ft · 32 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Locust Street Conn

    1166 ft · 36 sec · Locust Street Conn

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Dodge Street

    87 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Dodge Street

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    122.5 mi · 2 hr 21 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on 460th Avenue

    13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on Broadway Street

    1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Lawler Street

    101 m · 12 sec · Lawler Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    27 m · 4 sec · 8th Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
123 mi · 48%
Dodge Street
87 mi · 34%
220th Avenue
22.6 mi · 9%
460th Avenue
13 mi · 5%
Marengo Avenue
4.78 mi · 2%
Marshall Avenue
2.15 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

123 mi · 02h 21m

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 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.7 mi
208 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Steamboat Rock
02h 36m from Dubuque
Leave By
6:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Dubuque and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 256.7 miles (413.1 km) and usually takes 05h 13m 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?

Steamboat Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.1 miles from Dubuque and 128.6 miles from Emmetsburg.

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

The direct path is about 208 miles (334.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.7 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 6:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.17 one way or $68.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Dubuque and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Emmetsburg. Straight-line distance: 208.02 mi (334.78 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

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

#2 Emmetsburg

City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States

Population3,667
Coordinates43.1127400, -94.6830400
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Dubuque (-90.66457, 42.50056)
End: Emmetsburg (-94.68304, 43.11274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 413 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.06 gal
34.29 L · about $34.17
Round trip
$68.33
18.12 gal · 68.58 L
Estimated CO2
80.5 kg one way
Round trip: 161 kg / 355 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.17 $68.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $38.53 $77.06
Premium $4.65 $42.17 $84.33
Diesel $5.30 $48.05 $96.11

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Dubuque and Emmetsburg. The current time is 00:49:25.

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.