Dubuque to Watertown, South Dakota: Road Trip Guide & Distance

362.2 miles 582.9 km · straight line
434.6 miles estimated 699.5 km · driving distance
8h 45min estimated drive time
$42 - $51 estimated fuel cost
~1h 14min flight time
299° WNW bearing direction

How far is Dubuque from Watertown, South Dakota?

The distance from Dubuque to Watertown, South Dakota is 362.2 miles (582.9 km) as the crow flies. Watertown, South Dakota is located WNW of Dubuque. By car, the driving distance is approximately 434.6 miles, taking about 8h 45min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 14min. Both are located in United States — Dubuque in Iowa and Watertown, South Dakota in South Dakota.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Dubuque and Watertown, South Dakota. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Dubuque to Watertown, South Dakota

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 8h 45min $42 - $51 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 14min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~10h 30min $35–$65* Budget
Train ~8h 19min $52–$152* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Dubuque & Watertown, South Dakota

Quick Facts

Dubuque
42.50°N, 90.66°W
America/Chicago
189m elevation
Watertown, South Dakota
44.90°N, 97.12°W
America/Chicago
528m elevation
Explore more routes from Watertown, South Dakota

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 121 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 30 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 68.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients