How far is Dubuque, IA from Ottumwa, IA?
The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Ottumwa, IA is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dubuque and Ottumwa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque and Ottumwa.
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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
7.5 mi · 9 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 30 West, US 151 South: Cedar Rapids
2229 ft · 38 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Freeway
6.4 mi · 7 min · Lincoln Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
1764 ft · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
15.8 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1362 ft · 33 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
21.3 mi · 23 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Merango, North English
1594 ft · 45 sec
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14
Turn left onto M Avenue
11.9 mi · 17 min · M Avenue
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15
Continue on State Highway 149
5.2 mi · 8 min · State Highway 149
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16
Turn right onto Main Street
2600 ft · 44 sec · Main Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 149
11.1 mi · 15 min · State Highway 149
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18
Turn right onto State Highway 92
2596 ft · 40 sec · State Highway 92
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19
Continue on East Jackson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Jackson Street
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20
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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21
Continue on State Highway 149
10.3 mi · 14 min · State Highway 149
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 149
1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 149
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23
Continue on Main Street
978 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
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24
Continue on State Highway 149
2.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 149
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25
Continue on East 6th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East 6th Street
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26
Continue on State Highway 149
4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 149
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 149
6 mi · 9 min · State Highway 149
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28
Continue on Old US Highway 63
2.6 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 63
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29
Continue on South Wapello Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Wapello Street
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30
Turn left onto West Fourth Street
1163 ft · 27 sec · West Fourth Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dubuque and Ottumwa.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Dubuque and Sunny near Ottumwa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dubuque to Ottumwa?
The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
North Liberty is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Dubuque and 89.2 miles from Ottumwa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.8 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 9:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.72 one way or $47.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Dubuque and Sunny near Ottumwa.
Stop Ideas Near North Liberty
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 North Liberty.
Mount Pleasant
Davenport, Iowa
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Ottumwa. Straight-line distance: 136.26 mi (219.29 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 Ottumwa
City in Iowa
| Population | 24,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0200100, -92.4113000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ottumwa (-92.4113, 41.02001)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.72 | $47.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.27 | $58.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.36 | $66.72 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.