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Compare car rental prices from major suppliers in Dubuque with Road Genius. From compact cars to large SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices in convenient locations. Collect your ride at Dubuque Regional Airport or downtown and you're minutes from the Great River Road, Galena and the Driftless Area.
Car Rental Locations & Options
Key Rental Locations and Options
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) | • Convenient pickup after landing • Avis/Budget and Enterprise counters in terminal • Dedicated parking areas | • Limited selection of vehicles • Possible wait times if flights arrive simultaneously • Airport fees added to base rate |
| Downtown Dubuque | • No airport surcharges • Close to hotels and attractions • Often lower base rates | • Limited hours (usually business hours only) • May require transportation from airport • Smaller inventory of vehicles |
Dubuque Regional Airport has car rental counters inside the terminal, allowing for easy transitions from flight to rental vehicle.
Car Rental Prices
How to save?
- Compare airport vs downtown pickup: Downtown Dubuque counters skip the airport surcharge and often list a lower base rate. Factor in a short rideshare or hotel shuttle from DBQ to see if the math works.
- Shift your dates: Weekday pickups/returns in Dubuque usually beat weekend rates. Tweaking by just a day can drop the total, especially outside summer and October foliage season.
- Look at weekly pricing: Staying 5+ days? A "pay-for-6, get-7" weekly deal can undercut daily rates in this market even if you return early.
- Size matters on hills and at the pump: An economy or compact handles Dubuque's steep streets fine and sips gas on river-road drives, saving both rental and fuel cash.
- Stack the discounts: Plug in AAA, corporate or university codes common in this college town before you lock anything in—most suppliers here accept them.
Car rental prices in Dubuque 2025/2026
Parking and Local Driving
Finding a Spot
- Downtown: Mix of metered street spaces and public ramps
- Port of Dubuque: Paid lots near attractions like the National Mississippi River Museum
- Mississippi Riverwalk: Free spots available at designated areas
Local Driving Rules
- Hilly terrain requires attention to steep grades and blind curves
- One-way streets common in downtown historic district
- Winter driving requires caution on hills, especially after snow
- No toll roads in Iowa, but crossing into Illinois may involve tolls
Why rent a car in Dubuque
Book a car rental to visit:
- Galena, Illinois – 25 miles (40 km) via US-20
- Mississippi River Scenic Byway – Great River Road north or south
- Cedar Rapids – 75 miles (121 km) south on US-151
- Driftless Area parks and wineries – tri-state rural hills
- Madison, Wisconsin – 95 miles (153 km) north on US-151
Local Rental Locations
- Ankeny, IA
- Car Rental Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
- Car Rental The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
- Cedar Falls, IA
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Davenport, IA
- Des Moines, IA
- Iowa
- Iowa City, IA
FAQs
What car rental companies operate at Dubuque Regional Airport?
Avis, Budget and Enterprise have counters inside the Dubuque Regional Airport terminal. You can find other company offices downtown.
Is it easy to drive in downtown Dubuque?
You'll find some one-way streets and hills in downtown Dubuque, but it's generally easy to get around. You should pay attention to street signs and be ready for steeper hills than in other Iowa cities.
Can I take a rental car across the Mississippi to Illinois or Wisconsin?
Yes, most rental companies let you drive to nearby states. You can easily drive to popular places like Galena, IL and Wisconsin's Driftless Area.
What is the best vehicle type for exploring the Dubuque area?
We recommend a car that can handle hills well since Dubuque's area is hilly. In the winter, you might want an AWD or 4WD car if you plan to drive off the main highways.
