How far is Dubuque, IA from Fort Dodge, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Fort Dodge, IA is about 187.7 miles (302.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 29m 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
187.7 mi
03h 44m
Flight
178.46 mi
287.2 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
178.46 mi
Kilometers
287.2 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.7 mi
Kilometers
302.07 km
Drive Time
03h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 19, 10:20 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Sun, Apr 19, 2:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dubuque
2026-04-19T06:35
Arrive Fort Dodge
Sun, Apr 19, 10:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:30 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Hudson
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

From Dubuque
93.6 mi
01h 52m
To Fort Dodge
94.1 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque and Fort Dodge.

  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

    94.5 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    1724 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Nelson Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Nelson Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Quail Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Quail Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 220th Street

    2515 ft · 48 sec · 220th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Mill Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Mill Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Paragon Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Paragon Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on South 32nd Street

    2798 ft · 1 min · South 32nd Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 8th Avenue South

    1.6 km · 2 min · 8th Avenue South

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
94.8 mi · 51%
Dodge Street
87 mi · 46%
8th Avenue South
1 mi · 1%
Mill Road
0.97 mi · 1%
Quail Avenue
0.81 mi
Paragon Avenue
0.72 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

94.5 mi · 01h 49m

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
03h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.2 mi
178.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hudson
01h 52m from Dubuque
Leave By
9:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Dubuque and Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dubuque to Fort Dodge?

The road trip is about 187.7 miles (302.1 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?

Hudson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.6 miles from Dubuque and 94.1 miles from Fort Dodge.

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

The direct path is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 9:30 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.96 one way or $49.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dubuque and Sunny near Fort Dodge.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Fort Dodge. Straight-line distance: 178.46 mi (287.2 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Fort Dodge

#2 Fort Dodge

City in Iowa

Population23,906
Coordinates42.4974700, -94.1680200
Altitude340
CountryUnited States
Start: Dubuque (-90.66457, 42.50056)
End: Fort Dodge (-94.16802, 42.49747)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.62 gal
25.07 L · about $24.96
Round trip
$49.93
13.24 gal · 50.14 L
Estimated CO2
58.8 kg one way
Round trip: 117.7 kg / 259 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.96 $49.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.15 $56.31
Premium $4.65 $30.81 $61.62
Diesel $5.30 $35.11 $70.22

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Dubuque and Fort Dodge. The current time is 06:35:23.

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.