How far is Fort Madison, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Fort Madison, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 168.8 miles (271.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.5 miles (214.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Madison and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison and Dubuque.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 8 sec · Avenue I
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3
Turn right onto Avenue H
1.2 km · 1 min · Avenue H
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4
Turn slight left onto 2nd Street
1442 ft · 25 sec · 2nd Street
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5
Continue on 354th Avenue
3.3 mi · 5 min · 354th Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right
49.2 mi · 59 min
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7
Continue straight
8.8 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn left onto Douglas King Memorial Expressway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Douglas King Memorial Expressway
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9
Continue on U.S. 61
20.3 mi · 23 min · U.S. 61
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10
Continue on West River Drive
1985 ft · 34 sec · West River Drive
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11
Turn left
6.2 mi · 7 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East, US 61 North: Chicago
5.8 mi · 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 61 North: Eldridge, DeWitt
1744 ft · 42 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto North Brady Street
64.6 mi · 1 hr 16 min · North Brady Street
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15
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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17
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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18
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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19
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Madison and Dubuque.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North Brady Street
Merge slight left onto North Brady Street
64.6 mi · 01h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Fort Madison and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Madison to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 168.8 miles (271.6 km) and usually takes 02h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Blue Grass is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Fort Madison and 84.4 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.5 miles (214.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.44 one way or $44.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fort Madison and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Blue Grass
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Blue Grass.
Davenport, Iowa
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Galesburg station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Madison and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 133.56 mi (214.95 km).
#1 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| 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: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.44 | $44.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.31 | $50.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.69 | $55.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.56 | $63.12 |
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.