How far is Dubuque, IA from Story City, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Story City, IA is about 173.7 miles (279.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 151.2 miles (243.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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
173.72 mi
03h 24m
Flight
151.24 mi
243.4 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
151.24 mi
Kilometers
243.4 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.72 mi
Kilometers
279.58 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Story City
Sun, Apr 19, 11:34 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Sun, Apr 19, 2:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dubuque
2026-04-19T08:09
Arrive Story City
Sun, Apr 19, 11:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 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
10:10 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
Evansdale
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America

From Dubuque
86.7 mi
01h 42m
To Story City
87.1 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 13 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dubuque and Story City.

  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 left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    66.5 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1612 ft · 55 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    17.7 mi · 19 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Story City

    1700 ft · 43 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Broad Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Broad Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue

    16 m · 2 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dodge Street
87 mi · 50%
Avenue of the Saints
66.5 mi · 38%
I 35 South
18.3 mi · 11%
Broad Street
1.21 mi · 1%
US 61 South
0.24 mi
Locust Street Conn
0.22 mi
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 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.5 mi
151.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Evansdale
01h 42m from Dubuque
Leave By
10:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Dubuque and Sunny near Story City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dubuque to Story City?

The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.6 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?

Evansdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.7 miles from Dubuque and 87.1 miles from Story City.

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

The direct path is about 151.2 miles (243.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 10:10 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dubuque and Sunny near Story City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Story City. Straight-line distance: 151.24 mi (243.4 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Story City

#2 Story City

City in Iowa

Population3,320
Coordinates42.1872100, -93.5957700
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Start: Dubuque (-90.66457, 42.50056)
End: Story City (-93.59577, 42.18721)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.13 gal
23.21 L · about $23.12
Round trip
$46.23
12.26 gal · 46.42 L
Estimated CO2
54.5 kg one way
Round trip: 109 kg / 240 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.12 $46.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.07 $52.14
Premium $4.65 $28.53 $57.06
Diesel $5.30 $32.51 $65.03

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

There is no time difference between Dubuque and Story City. The current time is 08:09:47.

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.