How far is Polk City, IA from Dubuque, IA?
The driving distance from Polk City, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 201 miles (323.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.1 miles (264.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 29m 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 14m.
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.
Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polk City and Dubuque.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polk City and Dubuque.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
5 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
85 m · 16 sec · West Broadway Street
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3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
2207 ft · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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4
Turn right onto East Northside Drive
2378 ft · 1 min · East Northside Drive
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5
Continue on Northwest 118th Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Northwest 118th Avenue
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6
Continue on Northeast 118th Avenue
2657 ft · 45 sec · Northeast 118th Avenue
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7
Turn right onto Northeast 14th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · Northeast 14th Street
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8
Continue on North Ankeny Boulevard
1889 ft · 34 sec · North Ankeny Boulevard
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9
Turn left onto Northeast 36th Street
2.1 mi · 5 min · Northeast 36th Street
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10
Continue on Northeast 110th Avenue
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast 110th Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Northeast 38th Street
2 mi · 3 min · Northeast 38th Street
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12
Turn left onto Northeast 94th Avenue
7 mi · 11 min · Northeast 94th Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Road
28 mi · 32 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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14
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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16
Continue on 73rd Street
26.8 mi · 31 min · 73rd Street
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
1.6 km · 2 min
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18
Continue straight
9.4 mi · 11 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast
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20
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
21
Turn right onto Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road
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22
Continue on 200th Avenue
32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue
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23
Keep slight left
5.1 mi · 7 min
-
24
Keep slight left
1.1 mi · 1 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward White Street, Port of Dubuque
1432 ft · 32 sec
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26
Continue on White Street
638 ft · 27 sec · White Street
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27
Turn left onto East 7th Street
87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street
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28
Turn left onto Central Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Polk City and Dubuque.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Lincoln Highway
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Polk City and Mostly Cloudy near Dubuque.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Polk City to Dubuque?
The road trip is about 201 miles (323.4 km) and usually takes 03h 14m 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?
Van Horne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.9 miles from Polk City and 105.1 miles from Dubuque.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.1 miles (264.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 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 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.74 one way or $53.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Polk City and Mostly Cloudy near Dubuque.
Stop Ideas Near Van Horne
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 Van Horne.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polk City and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 164.1 mi (264.1 km).
#1 Polk City
American city in Iowa
| Population | 4,961 |
| Coordinates | 41.7713800, -93.7130000 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| 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: 323 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.74 | $53.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.15 | $60.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.00 | $65.99 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.61 | $75.21 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.