Cities Near Dubuque
Cities near Dubuque, Iowa: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Dubuque, Iowa is Cedar Rapids, about 61 mi (97 km) away — roughly 1 hr 49 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | 61 mi / 97 km | 1 hr 49 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Davenport | 68 mi / 109 km | 2 hr 1 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Iowa City | 73 mi / 118 km | 1 hr 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Madison | 75 mi / 121 km | 1 hr 45 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Rockford | 82 mi / 131 km | 1 hr 54 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Janesville | 85 mi / 136 km | 1 hr 58 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Waterloo | 86 mi / 138 km | 1 hr 59 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| La Crosse | 94 mi / 152 km | 2 hr 12 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Elgin | 126 mi / 203 km | 2 hr 56 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Waukesha | 128 mi / 207 km | 2 hr 59 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Dubuque
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, Madison, Rockford. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Dubuque
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Elgin, Waukesha. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Dubuque include Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, Madison, Rockford. The closest is Cedar Rapids, about 61 miles (97 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.