How far is Iowa City, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 84.2 miles (135.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 73 miles (117.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 06m 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 01h 33m.
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 Jones County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Dubuque.
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1
Start on South Gilbert Street
2492 ft · 2 min · South Gilbert Street
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2
Turn right onto Church Street
2009 ft · 1 min · Church Street
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3
Turn left onto North Governor Street
2274 ft · 1 min · North Governor Street
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4
Turn right onto North Dodge Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Dodge Street
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5
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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6
Continue on South Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Market Street
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7
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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8
Continue on State Highway 1
5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
40 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1
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10
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
666 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 1
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11
Continue on 1st Avenue South
1.5 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue South
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12
Continue on State Highway 1
10 mi · 14 min · State Highway 1
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13
Take the ramp right
2423 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
44.6 mi · 52 min
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15
Keep slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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16
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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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 Iowa 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.
State Highway 1
Merge slight left
44.6 mi · 00h 52m
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.
Sunny leaving Iowa City and Sunny near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 84.2 miles (135.5 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Anamosa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.1 miles from Iowa City and 42.1 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 73 miles (117.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 3:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.20 one way or $22.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Iowa City and Sunny near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Anamosa
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 Anamosa.
Davenport, Iowa
Rock Island, IL
Moline, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 73.04 mi (117.54 km).
#1 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| 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: 136 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.20 | $22.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.63 | $25.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.75 | $31.51 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.