How far is Dubuque, IA from Waukee, IA?

The driving distance from Dubuque, IA to Waukee, IA is about 205.7 miles (331 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 176.3 miles (283.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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
205.69 mi
03h 25m
Flight
176.25 mi
283.65 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
176.25 mi
Kilometers
283.65 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
205.69 mi
Kilometers
331.02 km
Drive Time
03h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waukee
Sat, Apr 11, 4:48 AM CDT
Return by in Dubuque
Sat, Apr 11, 8:14 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dubuque
2026-04-11T01:23
Arrive Waukee
Sat, Apr 11, 4:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 25m
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
Elberon
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Dubuque
88.1 mi
01h 42m
To Waukee
117.6 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

A saved road route is not available yet, so the map falls back to a straight-line overview.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Turn-by-turn directions are not available for this route yet, but the driving route map is still shown above.

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 25m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.4 mi
176.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elberon
01h 42m from Dubuque
Leave By
10:10 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Dubuque and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukee.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 205.7 miles (331 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?

Elberon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.1 miles from Dubuque and 117.6 miles from Waukee.

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

The direct path is about 176.3 miles (283.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.4 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 $27.38 one way or $54.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Dubuque and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Waukee.

Stop Ideas Near Elberon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Elberon, 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 Elberon.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dubuque and Waukee. Straight-line distance: 176.25 mi (283.65 km).

Dubuque

#1 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

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

#2 Waukee

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population26,166
Coordinates41.6116600, -93.8852300
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)
End: Ashworth Drive (-93.885151, 41.611761)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 331 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.26 gal
27.47 L · about $27.38
Round trip
$54.75
14.52 gal · 54.94 L
Estimated CO2
64.5 kg one way
Round trip: 129 kg / 284 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.38 $54.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $30.88 $61.75
Premium $4.65 $33.79 $67.58
Diesel $5.30 $38.51 $77.01

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Dubuque and Waukee. The current time is 01:23:06.

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.