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Highway 52: Dubuque to Bellevue, Mississippi River, Iowa
Photo: Pud00 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Iowa Iowa and Illinois

Highway 52: Dubuque to Bellevue

US 52, Great River Road, Twin Valley Drive · Dubuque → Bellevue

Leisurely24 mi35 min1,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,100 ftOne way
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The drive

US 52 south of Dubuque is the Iowa Great River Road alternate route, and it follows the Mississippi River valley down to Bellevue. The road runs through Sageville and along Twin Valley Drive, with bluffs rising on one side and the river bottoms on the other.

Near the start, the road gives access to the Mines of Spain, a state recreation area named for a 1796 land grant to Julien Dubuque. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center there is a Great River Road interpretive center. The drive ends at Bellevue, where Bellevue State Park is known for its Mississippi River views and a butterfly garden.

The route is 24.5 miles, takes about 36 minutes and climbs 1,913 feet. Traffic is lighter outside weekends.

Along the way

  1. Dubuque
  2. Bellevue
Elevation
1,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,100 ft
DubuqueBellevue
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
DubuqueBellevue
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Most of the drive is on a winding two-lane with a bluff on one side.
  • Services are in Dubuque and Bellevue, with little between them.
  • Weekends are busier than weekdays.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Iowa 511.

Questions about this drive

How long is the drive from Dubuque to Bellevue on Highway 52?

Highway 52 from Dubuque to Bellevue is 24.5 miles and takes about 36 minutes.

Is US 52 near Dubuque the Great River Road?

Yes. US 52 south of Dubuque is the Iowa Great River Road alternate route along the Mississippi River.

What can I see along Highway 52 south of Dubuque?

The Mines of Spain recreation area is near the start, and Bellevue State Park is near the end.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 52: Dubuque to Bellevue, from Dubuque to Bellevue