Origin
Altoona, IA
Night in Altoona on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Bettendorf, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 57m
Distance
160.7 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 46m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Bettendorf, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 160.4-mile journey from Altoona, IA, to Bettendorf, IA, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it an excellent option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate using 1st Avenue North, I 74 East, and US 67. With a projected fuel cost of around $24, this drive through the Midwest is budget-friendly. Expect a route with frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway, so keep your navigation handy. This trip is best suited for those looking for a direct route between these two Iowa locations without needing an overnight stop.
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
80.4 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 153.4 mi | 2h 46m |
| I 74 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| 1st Avenue South | 1 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 12th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Grant Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 153.4 mi, about 2h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Bettendorf, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
2
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
1st Avenue North
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto I 80; US 6
153 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 80; US 6
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
7
Merge onto I 74
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 74
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
9
Turn right onto US 67
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Grant Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
12th Street
11
Turn left
74 ft
·
3 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes for this 160.4-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time and stops. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel or stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $24, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart Altoona, IA. Pay close attention to your GPS, especially as the route features numerous turns, which is the defining characteristic of this drive. Enjoy the local scenery as you make your way toward Bettendorf, IA.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.4 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.4 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 35 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.4 miles or 1h 28m 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 24m
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 Altoona, 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 Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 160.7 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Altoona, 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 153.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.4 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 160.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
1st Avenue North
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
155.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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
5
160.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street...
6
160.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
US 67 / Grant Street
Turn right onto US 67 / Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
160.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.12 one way
$50.25 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $27.58 | $55.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.93 | $61.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.48 | $70.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.06 | $6.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.50 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Bettendorf, IA
Night in Bettendorf on Saturday
Local time
9:51 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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 57m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you won't be spending much time on highways, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the emphasis on turns suggests a dynamic driving experience. You'll likely be navigating through various local roads and potentially some city streets as you make your way across Iowa. This type of drive requires consistent attention to your navigation and road signs, offering a more engaging, albeit less high-speed, experience compared to a pure interstate cruise.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.4 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 74. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near 1st Avenue North.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 57m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (1st Avenue North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 155.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 160.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.4 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 miles (1st Avenue North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 155.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bettendorf, IA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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