How far is Dubuque, IA from Polk City, IA?
The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Polk City, IA is about 188.3 miles (303.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.1 miles (264.1 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.
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 54m.
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.
Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dubuque and Polk City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque and Polk City.
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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
1.1 mi · 2 min
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6
Turn right
15.2 mi · 19 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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9
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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10
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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12
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
21.4 mi · 25 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto North 79th Avenue West
1510 ft · 43 sec · North 79th Avenue West
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14
Turn right onto West 140th Street North
2708 ft · 1 min · West 140th Street North
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15
Continue on North 83rd Avenue West
1.6 km · 2 min · North 83rd Avenue West
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16
Continue on Northeast 134th Avenue
5.4 mi · 10 min · Northeast 134th Avenue
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Northeast Yoder Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Northeast Yoder Drive
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18
Continue on Yoder Drive
1043 ft · 21 sec · Yoder Drive
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19
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
147 m · 12 sec · Northeast 72nd Street
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20
Turn right onto Northeast 126th Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · Northeast 126th Avenue
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21
Continue on East Walnut Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Walnut Street
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22
Continue on Northeast 126th Avenue
3.6 mi · 5 min · Northeast 126th Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Northeast 14th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast 14th Street
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24
Turn right onto Northeast 118th Avenue
2657 ft · 41 sec · Northeast 118th Avenue
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25
Continue on Northwest 118th Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Northwest 118th Avenue
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26
Continue on East Northside Drive
2378 ft · 1 min · East Northside Drive
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 3rd Street
1938 ft · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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28
Turn left onto Walnut Street
86 m · 15 sec · Walnut Street
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29
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
79 m · 11 sec · North 2nd Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dubuque and Polk City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Dubuque and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dubuque to Polk City?
The road trip is about 188.3 miles (303.1 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?
Van Horne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94 miles from Dubuque and 94.3 miles from Polk City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.1 miles (264.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.2 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.08 one way or $50.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Dubuque and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Polk City.
Stop Ideas Near Van Horne
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 Van Horne.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Polk City. Straight-line distance: 164.1 mi (264.1 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 Polk City
American city in Iowa
| Population | 4,961 |
| Coordinates | 41.7713800, -93.7130000 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: Polk City (-93.713, 41.77138)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 303 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.08 | $50.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.95 | $61.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.27 | $70.54 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.