How far is Dubuque, IA from Spirit Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Spirit Lake, IA is about 288.9 miles (464.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233.2 miles (375.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 06m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Floyd County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dubuque and Spirit Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque and Spirit Lake.
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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
1248 ft · 32 sec
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3
Turn right onto Locust Street Conn
1166 ft · 36 sec · Locust Street Conn
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4
Turn right onto Dodge Street
87 mi · 1 hr 43 min · Dodge Street
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
5.6 mi · 8 min
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6
Continue on West Washington Expressway
1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
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7
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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8
Continue on West Washington Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
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9
Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
2382 ft · 58 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
92.9 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Avenue of the Saints
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13
Take the exit slight right
2004 ft · 56 sec
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14
Turn left onto State Highway 9
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 9
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15
Continue on North Street
2493 ft · 39 sec · North Street
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16
Continue on 360th Street
2631 ft · 41 sec · 360th Street
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17
Continue on Evergreen Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · Evergreen Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 9
5 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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19
Turn right onto 230th Avenue
5.2 mi · 7 min · 230th Avenue
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20
Turn left onto 400th Street
5.7 mi · 8 min · 400th Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn right onto 170th Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · 170th Avenue
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22
Turn left onto State Highway 9
16 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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23
Continue on 1st Avenue East
2648 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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24
Continue on State Highway 9
6.8 mi · 9 min · State Highway 9
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25
Keep slight left to continue on State Highway 9
117 m · 6 sec · State Highway 9
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26
Continue on US Highway 169
6.4 mi · 9 min · US Highway 169
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27
Continue on State Highway 9
4.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 9
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28
Continue on 4th Avenue West
1.1 km · 59 sec · 4th Avenue West
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29
Continue on 430th Street
6.1 mi · 9 min · 430th Street
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30
Continue on 4th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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31
Continue on State Highway 9
15.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 9
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32
Continue on East Central Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · East Central Avenue
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33
Continue on State Highway 9
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9
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34
Continue on Highway 9
1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
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35
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue
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36
Continue on 150th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street
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37
Continue on US Highway 71
5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71
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38
Continue on 18th Street
1757 ft · 54 sec · 18th Street
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39
Turn left onto Hill Avenue
48 m · 5 sec · Hill Avenue
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dubuque and Spirit Lake.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
92.9 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Dubuque and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dubuque to Spirit Lake?
The road trip is about 288.9 miles (464.9 km) and usually takes 06h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Floyd is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.2 miles from Dubuque and 144.7 miles from Spirit Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233.2 miles (375.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.7 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.43 one way or $76.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dubuque and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Spirit Lake. Straight-line distance: 233.21 mi (375.32 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 Spirit Lake
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,251 |
| Coordinates | 43.4221800, -95.1022200 |
| Altitude | 449 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spirit Lake (-95.10222, 43.42218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 465 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.43 | $76.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.34 | $86.68 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.42 | $94.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.05 | $108.10 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.