Clinton, IA Road Trips
Sitting in the Midwest, Clinton, IA is a local road trip base with 8 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 123 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Most routes from Clinton, IA head west, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
8
Longest Drive
326 mi
Council Bluffs, IA
Quickest Drive
56m
Bettendorf, IA
Plan Around Clinton, IA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Clinton, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Clinton, IA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Clinton, IA
Clinton, IA to Council Bluffs, IA
Clinton, IA to Waukee, IA
Clinton, IA to Iowa City, IA
Clinton, IA to Cedar Rapids, IA
Clinton, IA to Dubuque, IA
Clinton, IA to Bettendorf, IA
Clinton, IA to Davenport, IA
Driving from Clinton, IA
On average, trips departing from Clinton, IA run 123 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 26m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 326 miles (6h 4m), while the shortest is just 41 miles.
Popular Destinations
Top road trip destinations from Clinton, IA are Council Bluffs, IA (326 mi, 6h 4m), Waukee, IA (211.4 mi, 4h 1m), Iowa City, IA (87.1 mi, 1h 46m), Cedar Rapids, IA (84.5 mi, 1h 54m), and Dubuque, IA (71.6 mi, 1h 28m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 123-mile trip from Clinton, IA, budget about $18 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most routes head west — leaving in the morning keeps the sun behind you for a more comfortable drive. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Clinton, IA and 1 routes heading into Clinton, IA, covering 8 total connections. Distances range from 41 to 326 miles.
The longest mapped route from Clinton, IA covers 326 miles and takes approximately 6h 4m. Shorter options start at just 41 miles.
The average route from Clinton, IA runs about 123 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 26m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 123-mile trip from Clinton, IA costs roughly $18 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Clinton, IA include Council Bluffs, IA, Waukee, IA, Iowa City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Clinton, IA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
24,425
Median Income
$57,493
Median Home Value
$115,400
Median Age
42.8
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Clinton, IA
Clinton is a city in Eastern Iowa.
Clinton is in fact the easternmost city in Iowa, and just south of the Mississippi River's widest section, the area above Lock and Dam No. 13. Clinton has its origins as a railroad and lumbering town, and in the 1880s-1890s boasted the most millionaires in the country. If you need a heads up on details, you can stop by the Clinton, Iowa Visitors Information Kiosk at 400 Riverview Dr daily from 7AM-8PM.
Bickelhaupt Arboretum, 340 S 14th St, ☏ +1 563 242-4771. M-F 6AM-5PM. A 14 acre botanical garden operated by the Clinton Community College with shrubs, conifers, herbs, hostas, daylillies, and that kind of thing. (updated Sep 2023) Sawmill Museum, 2231 Grant St, ☏ +1 563 242-0343. Tu-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 1PM-5PM, M 1PM-6PM. This museum explores Clinton's legacy as a lumbering and transportation center given its proximity to rail lines and waterways. (updated Sep 2023) Eagle Point Park, 3923 N 3rd St, ☏ +1 563 243-1260. Daily 7AM-7PM. An expansive park that overlooks the Mississippi River with trails, stone bridge, and even a castle. (updated Sep 2023) Riverview Park, 303 Riverview Dr. This little park has a marina, walking path along the river, and the Clinton lighthouse. George M. Curtis Mansion, 420 5th Ave S. Example of a timber magnate's wealth from late 19th century Clinton. Guided tour may be available. +1 563 242-8556
Clinton Area Showboat Theater, 303 Riverview Dr, ☏ +1 563 242-6760. Theatrical shows and musicals (probably folksy) aboard a beached paddlewheeler. (updated Sep 2023) Wild Rose Casino & Hotel Clinton, 777 Wild Rose Dr, ☏ +1 563 243-9000. They've got the buffet and gaming floor with the pervasive milieu of secondhand smoke hanging in the air. (updated Sep 2023)
Candlelight Inn Restaurant - Clinton Iowa, 511 Riverview Dr, ☏ +1 563 243-3200. Tu-Su 11AM-9PM. Despite the name, you might not see too much candlelight. However, the riverfront seating with the Clinton lighthouse in the foreground and solid American cuisine and drinks are a plus. (updated Sep 2023)
Pull-thru camping sites are available at Riverview Park. Most of the chain hotels are west of town on Hwy 30. Fisher House Bed & Breakfast, 407 5th Ave S, ☏ +1 563 249-8948. A chance to stay in a large remodeled 1880s Queen Anne Victorian home from Clinton's yesteryear. (updated Sep 2023)
1 Clinton Municipal Airport (CWI IATA). General aviation airport. No scheduled passenger service. (updated Aug 2020)
Clinton Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), has shuttle or bus routes through the city. Closed Sundays and holidays. Limited hours on Saturdays.
Travel tips adapted from Clinton (Iowa) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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