Summer Road Trips in Iowa
Routes
30
Avg Distance
349 mi
Avg Drive
6h 46m
Destinations
20
Summer road trips in Iowa offer a chance to explore the state's rolling plains and vast farmlands. With 30 routes averaging 349 miles and taking around 6.5 hours, you'll find plenty of open road. These drives feature mostly flat terrain with maximum elevations around 1,500 feet and excellent EV charger coverage, with up to 27 DC fast chargers available across the state. Expect drives with a consistent score of 8, perfect for a summer cruise.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.75/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$48–$58
One-way, ~349 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~122 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13
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 extensive route boasts a high drive score of 8 and excellent EV charging infrastructure. It traverses mostly flat terrain for nearly 400 miles, making it a solid choice for covering significant ground across Iowa.
Editor's pick
George, IA → Davenport, IA
Another route scoring an 8, this option focuses on surface roads for a substantial portion of its 381 miles. Enjoy the predominantly flat landscape and reliable charging network on this cross-state excursion.
Editor's pick
Osceola County, IA → Bettendorf, IA
This trip offers a drive score of 8 across mostly flat terrain. With 370 miles and excellent EV charger availability, it provides a straightforward way to experience Iowa's summer scenery.
Bettendorf, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Eldridge, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
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
Walcott, IA → Sioux City, IA
Sioux City, IA → Clinton, IA
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
Sioux City, IA → Winfield, IA
Onawa, IA → Davenport, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City
Bettendorf, IA → Spencer, IA
Through: Waterloo → Storm Lake
Sioux Center, IA → Dubuque, IA
Council Bluffs, IA → Monona, IA
Through: Minneapolis → Kansas City → Bondurant
George, IA → Iowa City, IA
Clinton, IA → Council Bluffs, IA
Through: Omaha Nebraska