How far is Sheldon, IA from Dubuque, IA?

The driving distance from Sheldon, IA to Dubuque, IA is about 318.1 miles (511.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 267.1 miles (429.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 20m 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
318.06 mi
05h 10m
Flight
267.14 mi
429.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sheldon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
267.14 mi
Kilometers
429.92 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Road route
318.06 mi
Kilometers
511.87 km
Drive Time
05h 10m

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 05h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 1:21 AM CDT
Return by in Sheldon
Thu, Apr 23, 6:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sheldon
2026-04-22T20:11
Arrive Dubuque
Thu, Apr 23, 1:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:10 AM to 1:10 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sheldon
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
Blairsburg
IA

Township in Hamilton County, Iowa

From Sheldon
159.6 mi
02h 35m
To Dubuque
158.5 mi
02h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE
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 Sheldon and Dubuque.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 9th Street

    8 m · 6 sec · 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    7.5 mi · 9 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Log Avenue

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 460th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Garfield Street

    2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street

  7. 7

    Continue on 460th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Nettle Avenue

    5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on D Avenue

    5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Ames Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 490th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  13. 13

    Continue on 500th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto State Highway 3

    4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 530th Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto V Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  18. 18

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

    164.9 mi · 3 hr 10 min · 220th Street

  23. 23

    Keep slight left

    81.4 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  24. 24

    Turn left onto South Locust Street

    553 ft · 18 sec · South Locust Street

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto IA 946

    708 ft · 21 sec

  26. 26

    At the end of the road, turn left

    128 m · 13 sec

  27. 27

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

    1432 ft · 32 sec

  28. 28

    Continue on White Street

    638 ft · 27 sec · White Street

  29. 29

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    87 m · 20 sec · East 7th Street

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    10 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
31 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
246 mi · 77%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 3%
2nd Avenue
8.92 mi · 3%
State Highway 3
8.58 mi · 3%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 2%
D Avenue
5.75 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

165 mi · 03h 10m

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
05h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51 mi
267.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Blairsburg
02h 35m from Sheldon
Leave By
6:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sheldon and Sunny near Dubuque.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 318.1 miles (511.9 km) and usually takes 05h 10m 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?

Blairsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.6 miles from Sheldon and 158.5 miles from Dubuque.

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

The direct path is about 267.1 miles (429.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 51 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 6:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.31 one way or $84.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sheldon and Sunny near Dubuque.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sheldon and Dubuque. Straight-line distance: 267.14 mi (429.92 km).

Sheldon

#1 Sheldon

City in Iowa, United States

Population5,071
Coordinates43.1810900, -95.8561300
Altitude435
CountryUnited States
Dubuque

#2 Dubuque

The most populous city in Dubuque County, Iowa.

Population57,781
Coordinates42.5005600, -90.6645700
Altitude189
CountryUnited States
Start: 9th Street (-95.856108, 43.181144)
End: Central Avenue (-90.664595, 42.500561)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 512 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.22 gal
42.49 L · about $42.31
Round trip
$84.62
22.44 gal · 84.98 L
Estimated CO2
99.7 kg one way
Round trip: 199.4 kg / 440 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.31 $84.62
Mid-grade $4.25 $47.72 $95.44
Premium $4.65 $52.22 $104.44
Diesel $5.30 $59.51 $119.02

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 Sheldon and Dubuque. The current time is 20:11:12.

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.