Davenport, IA to Arnolds Park, IA is 342.2 miles and takes about 6h 55m via Avenue of the Saints/US 6/US 71, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, entirely within Iowa, offering a straightforward journey. Given its manageable duration, it's well-suited for a single day of driving. You'll navigate a series of main roads, so it's a good option if you prefer a direct path with minimal 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
171.1 miles from Davenport, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
218.5 mi
4h 9m
US 6
51 mi
56m
US 71
45.6 mi
1h 3m
Highway Boulevard
15.4 mi
22m
West Kimberly Road
2.9 mi
4m
Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
5m
Marquette Street
1 mi
2m
West 4th Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 218.5 mi, about 4h 9m
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 Davenport, IA and Arnolds Park, 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 left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
148 mi·2 hr 50 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit onto US 71
0.4 mi·57 sec·US 71
Toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm Lake
12
Turn right onto US 71
45 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 71
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto US 71
0.5 mi·1 min·11th Street Southwest
14
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
0.5 mi·53 sec·4th Avenue Southwest
15
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
0.3 mi·41 sec·4th Street Southwest
16
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
0.4 mi·1 min·South Grand Avenue
17
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
389 ft·9 sec·West 2nd Street
18
Turn right onto 1st Avenue West
0.4 mi·47 sec·1st Avenue West
19
At end of road, turn right onto West 8th Street
384 ft·14 sec·West 8th Street
20
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
0.6 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
21
Continue on US 18; US 71
15 mi·22 min·Highway Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Linden Drive
0.1 mi·22 sec·Linden Drive
23
Turn left onto Iowa Street
0.1 mi·36 sec·Iowa Street
24
Turn right onto Kruse Beach
125 ft·5 sec·Kruse Beach
25
Arrive at destination
Kruse Beach
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under 7 hours, this route is comfortably achievable in a single day. Aim to depart Davenport in the morning to give yourself ample time. You'll encounter one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on US 6 and US 71, as services might be more spread out than on major interstates. Planning around the 218.5-mile stretch on Avenue of the Saints can help you time your breaks effectively.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.1 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.5 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnolds Park, 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 342.2 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 218.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 278.4 — 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...
5
278 mi into trip|~5h 21m in|US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm...
5
278.4 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|US 71
Turn right onto US 71
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.89 one way
$113.79 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$61.97
$123.95
premium
$5.18
$69.83
$139.66
diesel
$5.35
$72.08
$144.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.93
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.94
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.91
$21.90
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Davenport, IA
Afternoon
in Davenport on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Arnolds Park, IA
Afternoon
in Arnolds Park on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Sunny
SE 15 mph0% chanceLive 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
6 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
6h 55m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with only 28% of the journey on highways. Expect a more engaging driving experience with frequent turns rather than long stretches of monotonous interstate. The longest uninterrupted drive on a single road is 218.5 miles along the Avenue of the Saints. This suggests a significant portion of your travel will be on more local or regional roads, offering varied scenery and a different feel than a pure highway cruise.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 218.5 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in near US 6 / West Kimberly Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 55m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 20 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,430 ft587 ft
Total Climb
972 ft
Total Descent
130 ft
Highest Point
1,430 ft
~342.2 mi in
Elevation Range
842 ft
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 Arnolds Park, IA, road signs point toward Waterloo and Storm Lake.
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 6h 55m. Total distance: 342.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 218.5 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arnolds Park, 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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arnolds Park, IA before the return drive.
