Alta, IA to Davenport, IA is 299.3 miles and takes about 5h 52m via 220th Street and I 80, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. Expect a route that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded feel than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
149.7 miles from Alta, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
157.8 mi
3h 2m
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi
1h 11m
I 80
49.7 mi
54m
Gard Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
Highway 7
3.3 mi
4m
90th Avenue
3.3 mi
4m
West Kimberly Road
3 mi
4m
State Highway 110
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 157.8 mi, about 3h 2m
Traffic on I-380
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,943 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,357
Quietest
2 AM
~105 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alta, IA and Davenport, IA.
1
Start on 60th Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·60th Avenue
2
Turn left onto IA 7
3.3 mi·4 min·Highway 7
3
Turn right onto IA 110
0.3 mi·29 sec·90th Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on IA 110
3.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 110
5
Turn straight onto 85th Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·85th Avenue
6
Turn left onto CR C65
0.5 mi·43 sec·630th Street
7
Turn right onto CR M43
3.0 mi·4 min·90th Avenue
8
Continue on CR M43
5.9 mi·8 min·Gard Avenue
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
158 mi·3 hr 2 min·220th Street
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
13
Merge onto I 80
50 mi·54 min·I 80
14
Take the exit onto US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·US 6
Toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
15
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 6
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
16
Continue on US 6
3.0 mi·4 min·West Kimberly Road
17
Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi·5 min·Hickory Grove Road
18
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
0.9 mi·2 min·West Locust Street
19
Turn right onto Gaines Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Gaines Street
20
Turn left onto West 14th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·West 14th Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Harrison Street
22
Turn right onto West 4th Street
165 ft·4 sec·West 4th Street
23
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 52m duration, leaving Alta, IA in the morning is ideal to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, though the longest stretch is over 150 miles on 220th Street. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the surface road portions, as stations might be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $46, so factor that into your budget. This single-day drive offers flexibility, allowing you to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 149.7 miles from Alta, IA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 66 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.7 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davenport, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alta, 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 Alta, IA
This is one driving day of about 299.3 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Alta, 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 220th Street for about 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Final third
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
$1 to $10
Coralville, Iowa
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13196255568
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 291.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in|IA 110 / 90th Avenue
Turn right onto IA 110 / 90th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
239.1 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
290 mi into trip|~5h 34m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock...
5
291.2 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, W...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.20 one way
$88.40 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$48.80
$97.59
premium
$4.72
$55.57
$111.14
diesel
$4.80
$56.51
$113.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.8
1
$31.43
$14.37
Efficient EV
74.8
0
$26.19
$11.97
EV Truck/SUV
119.7
1
$41.90
$19.16
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Alta, IA
Evening
in Alta on Saturday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Davenport, IA
Evening
in Davenport on Saturday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 52m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 route features a highway share of 19%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 157.8 miles along 220nd Street. Expect to transition from these rural cruising roads onto I 80 for a portion of the drive. The majority of your time will be spent on less trafficked roads, offering a different pace than a full interstate experience.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.8 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near IA 110 / 90th Avenue.
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 299.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 3.4 miles (IA 110 / 90th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 174.1 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Davenport is one of the Quad Cities, in Eastern Iowa. This Midwestern city on the bank of the Mississippi River has seen a great deal of action throughout history. Today Davenport offers visitors interesting museums, activities and culinary experiences. Being one of the Quad Cities, a side trip to another city is easily doable - just follow the color coded signs!
Top landmarks
•Sacred Heart Cathedral — cathedral church for the Catholic Diocese of Davenport
•Lock and Dam No. 15 — lock and dam on the Mississippi River between Rock Island, Illinois and Davenpor...
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 299.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.8 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (IA 110 / 90th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 174.1 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 239.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Davenport, IA before the return drive.
