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Trip from Davenport, IA to Algona, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 26m

Distance

270.2 mi

435 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 14m ★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 36m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 52m
8 PM
5h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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county seat of Scott County, Iowa, United States

Davenport, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Iowa, United States

Algona, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 270.2-mile journey from Davenport, IA, to Algona, IA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 26 minutes. You'll navigate primarily using local roads, including Marquette Street, West Locust Street, and Hickory Grove Road, with no highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $41, and you can expect one planned stop along the way. This route offers a straightforward, turn-heavy local drive through the heart of the Midwest, making it an approachable option for a dedicated day trip.

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

135.1 miles from Davenport, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 153.3 mi 2h 53m
US 6 51 mi 56m
US 18 38.6 mi 53m
I 380 5.6 mi 7m
210th Street 4 mi 5m
West Kimberly Road 2.9 mi 4m
Hickory Grove Road 2.5 mi 5m
Leo P Rooff Expressway 2.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 153.3 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Davenport, IA and Algona, IA.

1

Start on West 4th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
2

Turn right onto Marquette Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Marquette Street
3

Turn left onto US 6 Hist

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Locust Street
4

Turn slight right onto US 6 Hist

2.5 mi · 5 min · Hickory Grove Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto US 6

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Kimberly Road
6

Take the ramp onto US 6

51 mi · 56 min · US 6
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
9

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27

71 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Avenue of the Saints
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380

5.6 mi · 7 min · I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
11

Continue on US 218

0.2 mi · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway
12

Continue on US 218

0.7 mi · 51 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
13

Continue on US 218

1.3 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street
14

Continue on US 218

1.4 mi · 1 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway
15

Take the exit onto US 218

0.2 mi · 31 sec · US 218
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 218

0.5 mi · 58 sec · US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
17

Merge onto US 218; IA 27

83 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Avenue of the Saints
18

Take the exit onto I 35 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
19

Turn left onto I 35 Business

1.2 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue South
20

Turn right onto I 35 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 8th Street
21

Turn left onto US 18

39 mi · 53 min · US 18
22

Turn left onto 210th Avenue

1.1 mi · 1 min · 210th Avenue
23

Turn right onto 210th Street

4.0 mi · 5 min · 210th Street
24

Continue on East McGregor Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · East McGregor Street
25

Turn right onto South Jones Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · South Jones Street
26

Arrive at destination

US 169

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 5 hours and 26 minutes, this 270.2-mile trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day excursion. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Davenport to allow ample time for your single planned stop and to avoid any potential rush hour traffic on local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you'll be on local roads for the entire duration, and factor in the estimated $41 fuel cost. A good tip for this turn-heavy route is to utilize your GPS's turn-by-turn navigation diligently to avoid missing any of the many required turns.

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 135.1 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.3 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 135.1 miles or 2h 38m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Davenport, 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 Davenport, IA

This is one driving day of about 270.2 miles and 5h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Davenport, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 153.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waterloo, IA

135 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

North Liberty, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waterloo, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.1 miles from Davenport, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mantra Indian Cuisine & Spirits

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15634245500

Visit website

Café d'Marie

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

0.2 mi

Miss Phay Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

392Caffe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+15632756292

Visit website

The Brewed Book - Coffee Shop & Used Book Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Davenport, Iowa

0.9 mi

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

0.9 mi

Mantra Indian Cuisine & Spirits

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15634245500

Visit website

Café d'Marie

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–2:30 pm

+15633233293

Visit website

Miss Phay Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15638881053

Visit website

Steak 'n Shake

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13198006117

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195453131

Visit website

Tommy's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+15633236689

Visit website

Red Lobster

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193386400

Visit website

Culver’s

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+13195458255

Visit website

392Caffe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+15632756292

Visit website

The Brewed Book - Coffee Shop & Used Book Store

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15632326642

Visit website

Café Saint Pio

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13192001000

ROZZ-TOX

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Rock Island, Illinois

Hours: 5 pm–12 am

Visit website

Kismet Coffee & Bloom

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+13192003218

Visit website

Groundswell Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13192002791

Visit website

Roasters Coffeehouse NewBo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

Visit website

Veritas Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+13192083192

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 77.2

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Noodoe Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 270.2

Algona, Iowa

+19094681118

Blink Charging Station

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 96.5

Center Point, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 135.1

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 270.2

Algona, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

Cafe On Vine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7–7:45 am

+15633244472

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 57.9

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 57.9

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 139.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4.7 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 6 / West Kimberly Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 6 / West Kimberly Road

Navigation decision point

5
58.6 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
6
130.3 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | I 380

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
139.8 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | US 218

Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.24 one way

$84.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $46.38 $92.76
premium $4.89 $52.00 $104.00
diesel $5.61 $59.66 $119.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.1 1 $28.37 $12.97
Efficient EV 67.6 0 $23.64 $10.81
EV Truck/SUV 108.1 1 $37.83 $17.29

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Davenport, IA

Late night in Davenport on Sunday

Local time

1:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Algona, IA

Late night in Algona on Sunday

Local time

1:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Waterloo, IA

135 mi in

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

23 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 26m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 270.2-mile route, with a 0% highway share. The drive is characterized by frequent changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the nature of local roads means you'll be actively navigating and making turns throughout the 5-hour and 26-minute journey. This driving profile suggests a route that keeps you engaged with the local landscape and road network.

36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.3 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in near US 6 / West Kimberly Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 270.2 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: at 4.7 miles (US 6 / West Kimberly Road): Navigation decision point; at 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Davenport, IA and Algona, IA, road signs point toward Waterloo, Cr B35: Clear Lake and Mason City.

Waterloo

58.9 mi in | ~1h 11m

Cr B35: Clear Lake

222.8 mi in | ~4h 20m | via I 35 Business

Mason City

222.8 mi in | ~4h 20m | via I 35 Business

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 270.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 153.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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 Algona, 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: at 4.7 miles (US 6 / West Kimberly Road): Navigation decision point; at 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Algona, IA before the return drive.

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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