How far is Garner, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Garner, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 195.7 miles (314.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 15m.
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.
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Garner and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garner and Dubuque.
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1
Start on East 3rd Street
21 m · 6 sec · East 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto State Street
1270 ft · 39 sec · State Street
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3
Turn right
12.7 mi · 18 min
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
1541 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.6 mi · 3 min · Avenue of the Saints
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
2212 ft · 27 sec
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7
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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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 south: Waterloo
97 m · 8 sec
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9
Continue on US 218 south: Waterloo
1625 ft · 40 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi · 8 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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11
Continue on Washington Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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12
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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13
Keep slight left
81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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14
Turn left onto South Locust Street
553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street
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15
Turn straight onto IA 946
708 ft · 21 sec
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
128 m · 13 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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18
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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19
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Garner 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Garner 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 Garner to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 195.7 miles (314.9 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Cedar Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.7 miles from Garner and 97.9 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.02 one way or $52.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Garner and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Dubuque.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Garner and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 154.6 mi (248.8 km).
#1 Garner
Town in Hancock County, Iowa
| Population | 3,031 |
| Coordinates | 43.1024600, -93.6018800 |
| Altitude | 369 |
| 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: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.02 | $52.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.35 | $58.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.11 | $64.23 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.60 | $73.20 |
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.