Summer Road Trips in Iowa
Routes
30
Avg Distance
352 mi
Avg Drive
6h 48m
Destinations
22
Summer in Iowa means long daylight hours perfect for exploring the state's expansive landscapes. With 30 routes averaging 350 miles and over 7 hours, you can cover significant ground. While the terrain is largely flat, expect some gently rolling sections, with max elevations around 1,500 feet. Most routes are primarily highway or surface roads, offering a straightforward driving experience across the state.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.94/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$51–$61
One-way, ~352 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~123 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Iowa
Iowa peaks at around 86°F in Jul and cools to 31°F / 14°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~5.3 in of rain. Table highlights Summer months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 14 | 1.1 | 9.4 |
| Feb | 36 | 18 | 1.3 | 10.2 |
| Mar | 49 | 30 | 2.2 | 4.4 |
| Apr | 62 | 41 | 4 | 1.2 |
| May | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | 0.2 |
| Jun peak | 82 | 62 | 5.3 | — |
| Jul peak | 86 | 66 | 3.8 | — |
| Aug peak | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | — |
| Sep | 77 | 55 | 3.2 | — |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.8 | 0.5 |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 1.9 | 2.7 |
| Dec | 36 | 20 | 1.6 | 7.9 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for IA — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Editor's pick
Akron, IA → Davenport, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
This route scores an 8 and covers nearly 400 miles of mostly flat terrain. It's a solid choice for covering a lot of Iowa's countryside on primarily highway.
Editor's pick
George, IA → Davenport, IA
Another route with a drive score of 8, this option navigates Iowa using mostly surface roads. It offers a comparable distance to the Akron-Davenport trip, ideal for a cross-state summer drive.
Editor's pick
Bettendorf, IA → Osceola County, IA
Through: Waterloo
Standing out with a drive score of 9, this trip features gently rolling terrain and reaches a max elevation of 1,564 feet. It's the highest-rated of the longer, cross-state options.
Bettendorf, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Eldridge, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Sioux City, IA → Burlington, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City → Des Moines +2 more
Osceola County, IA → Davenport, IA
Davenport, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sergeant Bluff, IA → Bettendorf, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Davenport, IA → Orange City, IA
Through: Waterloo
Blue Grass, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Mediapolis, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City → Des Moines +1 more
Davenport, IA → Sergeant Bluff, IA
Through: Sioux City
Sioux City, IA → Muscatine, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Walcott, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Clinton, IA
Sioux City, IA → Camanche, IA
Davenport, IA → Hamburg, IA
Through: Omaha Nebraska
Davenport, IA → Arnolds Park, IA
Through: Waterloo → Storm Lake
Wilton, IA → Sioux City, IA
Rock Valley, IA → Dubuque, IA
Iowa City, IA → Rock Rapids, IA
Iowa City, IA → Akron, IA
Through: Sioux City
Davenport, IA → Milford, IA
Through: Waterloo → Storm Lake
Sioux City, IA → Park View, IA
Davenport, IA → Sidney, IA
Through: Omaha Nebraska
Mount Pleasant, IA → Sioux City, IA
Through: Knoxville
Council Bluffs, IA → Waukon, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City → Bondurant +2 more
Sioux City, IA → Winfield, IA
Onawa, IA → Davenport, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City