Adel, IA to Bettendorf, IA is 190.4 miles and takes about 3h 34m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest's heartland. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip, making it ideal for a single-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect efficient travel time. Consider this route when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.2 miles from Adel, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
171.5 mi
3h 6m
290th Street
11.9 mi
17m
I 74
4.3 mi
5m
I 35
0.7 mi
<1m
Greene Street
0.6 mi
1m
12th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Grant Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Nile Kinnick Drive South
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 171.5 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Adel, IA and Bettendorf, IA.
1
Start on US 169
16 ft·7 sec·Nile Kinnick Drive South
2
Turn left onto US 6
0.6 mi·1 min·Greene Street
3
Continue on US 6
12 mi·17 min·290th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 eastUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 80; I 35
10 mi·11 min·I 80; I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi·50 sec·I 35; I 80
7
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi·40 sec·I 80; I 35
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
161 mi·2 hr 54 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
10
Merge onto I 74
4.3 mi·5 min·I 74
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
12
Turn right onto US 67
0.1 mi·17 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·12th Street
14
Turn left
74 ft·3 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this trip is just under 4 hours, you can easily complete it in a single day. Departing in the morning will give you ample time to reach Bettendorf with daylight to spare. You'll only need about one stop, so plan it strategically along I 80 for fuel and a quick break. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, it's an economical journey. Keep an eye out for any potential construction delays, especially on the interstate sections, as they can impact travel time.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 95.2 miles from Adel, IA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.2 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bettendorf, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Adel, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Adel, IA
This is one driving day of about 190.4 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Adel, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 171.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 190.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
12.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
5
12.9 mi into trip|~19m in|I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
24.6 mi into trip|~32m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
5
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
6
190.1 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|US 67 / Grant Street
Turn right onto US 67 / Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.77 one way
$59.53 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.68
$65.37
premium
$4.89
$36.64
$73.28
diesel
$5.61
$42.04
$84.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.1
0
$19.99
$9.14
Efficient EV
47.6
0
$16.66
$7.62
EV Truck/SUV
76.2
0
$26.66
$12.19
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Adel, IA
Night
in Adel on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bettendorf, IA
Night
in Bettendorf on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 34m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll encounter a 171.5-mile stretch on I 80, which means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal turns. The journey begins on local roads before merging onto I 80, and eventually transitions to I 74 as you approach your destination. Expect a driving experience characterized by steady progress on well-maintained highways, with brief interludes on secondary roads.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 171.5 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 290th Street. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 190.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 190.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 171.5 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Bettendorf, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
