Bettendorf, IA to Glenwood, IA is 316.8 miles and takes about 5h 51m via I 80 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. With a recommended one-day drive, it’s a straightforward path for a quick hop across the state. You'll primarily be on major interstate highways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance without much fuss.
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
158.4 miles from Bettendorf, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
292.4 mi
5h 17m
I 29
12 mi
12m
I 74
4.4 mi
5m
US Highway 34
2.8 mi
4m
US 275
1.1 mi
2m
Kimberly Road
1 mi
2m
Hilman Road
0.9 mi
1m
Sharp Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 292.4 mi, about 5h 17m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,856 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,232
Quietest
2 AM
~179 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Bettendorf, IA and Glenwood, IA.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 12th Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·12th Street
3
Continue on Kimberly Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Kimberly Road
4
Turn right onto Middle Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Middle Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi·24 sec
6
Merge onto I 74; US 6
4.4 mi·5 min·I 74; US 6
7
Merge onto I 80
173 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
23 mi·25 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 4AToward I 29 South: Kansas CityUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 29
12 mi·12 min·I 29
12
Take the exit onto US 275
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 275
Toward US 34, US 275 South: South Bellevue, Glenwood
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 275
0.7 mi·1 min·US 275
14
Merge onto US 34; US 275
2.8 mi·4 min·US Highway 34
15
Turn left onto Hilman Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Hilman Road
16
Continue on Sharp Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Sharp Street
17
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
152 ft·8 sec·North Walnut Street
18
Turn right
225 ft·16 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 51m duration, leaving Bettendorf in the morning is ideal to allow for a relaxed pace. You'll only need to consider one stop for fuel and rest, easily fitting it into your schedule. The longest stretch without a major exit is 292.4 miles on I 80, so be sure to top off your tank before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time or stop duration 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 158.4 miles from Bettendorf, IA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 292.4 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 70 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.4 miles or 2h 56m 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 Glenwood, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bettendorf, 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 Bettendorf, IA
This is one driving day of about 316.8 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Bettendorf, 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 292.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 158.4 miles from Bettendorf, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 292.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 298.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
6.1 mi into trip|~10m in|I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
179.4 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
274.9 mi into trip|~5h 2m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
7
298.4 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4A
Toward I 29 South: Kansas City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.12 one way
$98.23 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$53.86
$107.71
premium
$4.93
$61.46
$122.93
diesel
$5.60
$69.83
$139.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.26
$15.21
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.72
$12.67
EV Truck/SUV
126.7
1
$44.35
$20.28
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Bettendorf, IA
Night
in Bettendorf on Tuesday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 9:43PM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 8:50PM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Glenwood, IA
Night
in Glenwood on Tuesday
Local time
11:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 3 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 9:43PM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 31 at 8:50PM CDT until September 3 at 7:00PM 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
3 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
5h 51m 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 drive is almost entirely on interstates, with a 99% highway share. You'll have a long stretch of 292.4 miles on I 80 before transitioning to I 29. Expect frequent exits along I 80 as you pass through various towns, but the overall feel is consistent highway cruising. The transition from I 80 to I 29 is seamless, keeping you on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 292.4 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 12th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 316.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,428 ft569 ft
Total Climb
949 ft
Total Descent
501 ft
Highest Point
1,428 ft
~226.3 mi in
Elevation Range
859 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bettendorf, IA to Glenwood, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 316.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 292.4 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Glenwood, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Glenwood, IA before the return drive.
