How far is Jefferson, IA from Dubuque, IA?

The driving distance from Jefferson, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 221 miles (355.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 192.8 miles (310.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
220.98 mi
03h 36m
Flight
192.79 mi
310.27 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jefferson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
192.79 mi
Kilometers
310.27 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
220.98 mi
Kilometers
355.64 km
Drive Time
03h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 12:02 AM CDT
Return by in Jefferson
Thu, Apr 23, 3:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jefferson
2026-04-22T20:26
Arrive Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 12:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jefferson
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Elberon
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Jefferson
108.2 mi
01h 48m
To Dubuque
112.8 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 17 mph S
Destination
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson and Dubuque.

  1. 1

    Start on West Lincolnway Street

    7 m · 8 sec · West Lincolnway Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Elm Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · North Elm Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 220th Street

    31 mi · 40 min · 220th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on 230th Street

    77.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min · 230th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on 73rd Street

    26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast

  9. 9

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Marion Airport Road

    24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road

  11. 11

    Continue on 200th Avenue

    32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    5.1 mi · 7 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  14. 14

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

    1432 ft · 32 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on White Street

    638 ft · 27 sec · White Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
230th Street
77.2 mi · 35%
200th Avenue
38.6 mi · 17%
220th Street
31 mi · 14%
73rd Street
26.8 mi · 12%
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 11%
IA 100 East
10.4 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

230th Street

Continue on 230th Street

77.2 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.2 mi
192.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elberon
01h 48m from Jefferson
Leave By
9:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Jefferson and Sunny near Dubuque.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Jefferson to Dubuque?

The road trip is about 221 miles (355.6 km) and usually takes 03h 36m 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?

Elberon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.2 miles from Jefferson and 112.8 miles from Dubuque.

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

The direct path is about 192.8 miles (310.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.41 one way or $58.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Jefferson and Sunny near Dubuque.

Stop Ideas Near Elberon

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Elberon, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Elberon.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 192.79 mi (310.27 km).

Jefferson

#1 Jefferson

City in Greene County, Iowa

Population4,075
Coordinates42.0152600, -94.3774700
Altitude325
CountryUnited States
Dubuque

#2 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: West Lincolnway Street (-94.37747, 42.015261)
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 356 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.8 gal
29.52 L · about $29.41
Round trip
$58.83
15.6 gal · 59.04 L
Estimated CO2
69.3 kg one way
Round trip: 138.6 kg / 306 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.41 $58.83
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.17 $66.35
Premium $4.65 $36.30 $72.60
Diesel $5.30 $41.37 $82.74

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 Jefferson and Dubuque. The current time is 20:26:07.

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.