How far is Iowa Falls, IA from Dubuque, IA?

The driving distance from Iowa Falls, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.7 miles (212 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
142.63 mi
02h 21m
Flight
131.75 mi
212.03 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Iowa Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.75 mi
Kilometers
212.03 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.63 mi
Kilometers
229.54 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 3:21 AM CDT
Return by in Iowa Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 5:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Iowa Falls
2026-04-23T01:00
Arrive Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 3:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Iowa Falls
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Jesup
IA

City in the United States

From Iowa Falls
72 mi
01h 10m
To Dubuque
70.6 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 26 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa Falls and Dubuque.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iowa Falls and Dubuque.

  1. 1

    Start on Commercial Street

    101 m · 11 sec · Commercial Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Rocksylvania Avenue

    2967 ft · 1 min · East Rocksylvania Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Oak Street

    5.1 mi · 9 min · Oak Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward US 20 East

    2164 ft · 53 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    55.9 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto IA 946

    708 ft · 21 sec

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left

    128 m · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque

    1432 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on White Street

    638 ft · 27 sec · White Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa Falls and Dubuque.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
138 mi · 97%
Oak Street
5.12 mi · 4%
East Rocksylvania Avenue
0.56 mi
White Street
0.39 mi
IA 946
0.13 mi
South Locust Street
0.11 mi
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Keep slight left

81.4 mi · 01h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
131.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jesup
01h 10m from Iowa Falls
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Iowa Falls and Mostly Sunny near Dubuque.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Iowa Falls to Dubuque?

The road trip is about 142.6 miles (229.5 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?

Jesup is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72 miles from Iowa Falls and 70.6 miles from Dubuque.

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

The direct path is about 131.7 miles (212 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.97 one way or $37.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Iowa Falls and Mostly Sunny near Dubuque.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Iowa Falls and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 131.75 mi (212.03 km).

Iowa Falls

#1 Iowa Falls

City in Iowa, United States

Population4,940
Coordinates42.5224800, -93.2513100
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Dubuque

#2 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: Commercial Street (-93.25201, 42.522467)
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 230 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.03 gal
19.05 L · about $18.97
Round trip
$37.94
10.06 gal · 38.1 L
Estimated CO2
44.7 kg one way
Round trip: 89.4 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.97 $37.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.39 $42.79
Premium $4.65 $23.41 $46.82
Diesel $5.30 $26.68 $53.36

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

There is no time difference between Iowa Falls and Dubuque. The current time is 01:00:44.

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.