How far is Dubuque, IA from Saylorville, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Saylorville, IA is about 188.2 miles (302.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m 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
188.18 mi
03h 45m
Flight
162.28 mi
261.17 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
162.28 mi
Kilometers
261.17 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.18 mi
Kilometers
302.84 km
Drive Time
03h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saylorville
Thu, Apr 23, 4:06 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 7:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dubuque
2026-04-23T00:21
Arrive Saylorville
Thu, Apr 23, 4:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 45m
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

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
Van Horne
IA

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

From Dubuque
94 mi
01h 52m
To Saylorville
94.3 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1021 ft · 28 sec

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right

    57 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Turn right

    15.2 mi · 19 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  9. 9

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  13. 13

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    6.5 mi · 8 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: 2nd Avenue, Polk City

    2358 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street

    3016 ft · 1 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Northwest 54th Avenue

    2463 ft · 51 sec · Northwest 54th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Northwest 6th Drive

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Northwest 6th Drive

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwest 6th Drive

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 61 South
62.8 mi · 33%
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 20%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 18%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 13%
I 80 west
6.49 mi · 3%
16th Avenue Southwest
2.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.9 mi
162.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Horne
01h 52m from Dubuque
Leave By
9:30 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Dubuque and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saylorville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 188.2 miles (302.8 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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 Saylorville.

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

The direct path is about 162.3 miles (261.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 $25.04 one way or $50.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dubuque and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saylorville.

Stop Ideas Near Van Horne

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Van Horne, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Horne.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

113 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Saylorville. Straight-line distance: 162.28 mi (261.17 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

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

#2 Saylorville

City in Polk County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,301
Coordinates41.6786000, -93.6296600
Altitude271
CountryUnited States
Start: Dubuque (-90.66457, 42.50056)
End: Saylorville (-93.62966, 41.6786)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 303 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
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.

One-way fuel
6.64 gal
25.14 L · about $25.04
Round trip
$50.08
13.28 gal · 50.28 L
Estimated CO2
59 kg one way
Round trip: 118 kg / 260 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.04 $50.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.24 $56.48
Premium $4.65 $30.90 $61.81
Diesel $5.30 $35.22 $70.44

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Dubuque and Saylorville. The current time is 00:21:33.

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.