How far is Ottumwa, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Ottumwa, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 179.2 miles (288.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.3 miles (219.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 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.
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 06m.
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.
City in Johnson County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ottumwa and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottumwa and Dubuque.
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1
Start on West Fourth Street
1124 ft · 29 sec · West Fourth Street
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2
Turn right onto North Wapello Street
121 m · 5 sec · North Wapello Street
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3
Continue on Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi · 6 min · Old US Highway 63
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4
Continue on State Highway 149
5.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 149
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5
Continue on State Highway 149
4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 149
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6
Continue on West 6th Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West 6th Street
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7
Continue on State Highway 149
2.4 mi · 3 min · State Highway 149
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8
Continue on Main Street
978 ft · 17 sec · Main Street
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9
Continue on State Highway 149
1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 149
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10
Continue on State Highway 149
10.3 mi · 14 min · State Highway 149
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11
Continue on South Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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12
Turn right onto East Jackson Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Jackson Street
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13
Continue on State Highway 92
2596 ft · 46 sec · State Highway 92
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14
Turn left onto State Highway 149
11.1 mi · 15 min · State Highway 149
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15
Continue on Main Street
2600 ft · 49 sec · Main Street
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16
Turn left onto State Highway 149
5.2 mi · 8 min · State Highway 149
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17
Continue on M Avenue
11.7 mi · 17 min · M Avenue
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18
Take the ramp left
2417 ft · 59 sec
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19
Merge slight left
29 mi · 32 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IA 1: Mount Vernon
1545 ft · 40 sec
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21
Turn left onto North Dodge Street
1.1 km · 1 min · North Dodge Street
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22
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
7.5 mi · 10 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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23
Continue on South Market Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Market Street
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24
Continue on Highway 1 Northeast
3.2 mi · 4 min · Highway 1 Northeast
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25
Continue on State Highway 1
5.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 1
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 1
40 m · 6 sec · State Highway 1
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27
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 1
666 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 1
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28
Continue on 1st Avenue South
1.5 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue South
-
29
Continue on State Highway 1
10 mi · 14 min · State Highway 1
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30
Take the ramp right
2423 ft · 1 min
-
31
Merge slight left
44.6 mi · 52 min
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32
Keep slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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33
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
-
34
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
-
35
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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36
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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37
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ottumwa 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 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.
Sunny leaving Ottumwa and Chance Rain Showers near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ottumwa to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 179.2 miles (288.4 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Coralville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Ottumwa and 92.5 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.3 miles (219.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.83 one way or $47.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ottumwa and Chance Rain Showers near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Coralville
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 Coralville.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ottumwa and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 136.26 mi (219.29 km).
#1 Ottumwa
City in Iowa
| Population | 24,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0200100, -92.4113000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.41 | $58.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.52 | $67.04 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.