How far is Dubuque, IA from Garner, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Garner, IA is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 49m 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
194.22 mi
03h 54m
Flight
154.6 mi
248.8 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
154.6 mi
Kilometers
248.8 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
194.22 mi
Kilometers
312.56 km
Drive Time
03h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Garner
Sat, Apr 18, 4:43 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Sat, Apr 18, 8:38 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 Garner
Sat, Apr 18, 4:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 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
9:10 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
Cedar Falls
IA

The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

From Dubuque
96.9 mi
01h 57m
To Garner
97.2 mi
01h 57m

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 then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Continue on West Washington Expressway

    1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    82.5 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Avenue of the Saints

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City

    1386 ft · 40 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 4th Avenue South

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue South

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South 8th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 8th Street

  16. 16

    Turn left

    11.6 mi · 16 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Street

    1270 ft · 42 sec · State Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    21 m · 2 sec · East 3rd Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dodge Street
87 mi · 45%
Avenue of the Saints
82.5 mi · 42%
I-380 north
5.63 mi · 3%
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.35 mi · 1%
West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 1%
4th Avenue South
1.21 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dodge Street

Turn right onto Dodge Street

87 mi · 01h 43m

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 54m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.6 mi
154.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cedar Falls
01h 57m from Dubuque
Leave By
9:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Dubuque and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Garner.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 194.2 miles (312.6 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?

Cedar Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.9 miles from Dubuque and 97.2 miles from Garner.

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

The direct path is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.6 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 9:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.83 one way or $51.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.9 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 then Sunny near Garner.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Garner. Straight-line distance: 154.6 mi (248.8 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

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

#2 Garner

Town in Hancock County, Iowa

Population3,031
Coordinates43.1024600, -93.6018800
Altitude369
CountryUnited States
Start: Dubuque (-90.66457, 42.50056)
End: Garner (-93.60188, 43.10246)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 313 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.85 gal
25.94 L · about $25.83
Round trip
$51.66
13.7 gal · 51.88 L
Estimated CO2
60.9 kg one way
Round trip: 121.8 kg / 269 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.83 $51.66
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.13 $58.27
Premium $4.65 $31.88 $63.76
Diesel $5.30 $36.33 $72.66

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 Garner. The current time is 00:49:11.

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.