How far is Forest City, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Forest City, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 205.3 miles (330.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.4 miles (256.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m 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 23m.
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.
City in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest City and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City and Dubuque.
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1
Start on South 4th Street
109 m · 18 sec · South 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto East J Street
1114 ft · 28 sec · East J Street
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3
Turn right
1.5 mi · 2 min
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4
Turn left onto 330th Street
8 mi · 11 min · 330th Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Balsam Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Balsam Avenue
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6
Turn left onto 310th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 310th Street
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7
Continue on Grouse Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · Grouse Avenue
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8
Turn left onto 300th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 300th Street
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9
Take the ramp right
1929 ft · 47 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
6.2 mi · 7 min · Avenue of the Saints
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
2212 ft · 27 sec
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12
Turn slight right onto US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
81.3 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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14
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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16
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
6.5 mi · 8 min
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18
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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19
Turn left onto South Locust Street
553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street
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20
Turn straight onto IA 946
708 ft · 21 sec
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21
At the end of the road, turn left
128 m · 13 sec
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22
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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23
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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24
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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25
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest City and Dubuque.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-380 south
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Forest City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest City to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 205.3 miles (330.4 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Janesville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.6 miles from Forest City and 102.7 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.4 miles (256.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.9 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 10:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.30 one way or $54.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Forest City and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dubuque.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest City and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 159.43 mi (256.58 km).
#1 Forest City
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 4,025 |
| Coordinates | 43.2624600, -93.6371600 |
| Altitude | 383 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dubuque
The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.
| Population | 57,781 |
| Coordinates | 42.5005600, -90.6645700 |
| Altitude | 189 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 330 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.30 | $54.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.79 | $61.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.69 | $67.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.40 | $76.80 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.