Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 55m
Distance
342.2 mi
551 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Davenport, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Arnolds Park, IA
Tom Fisk
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Davenport, IA and Arnolds Park, IA.
Start on West 4th Street
Turn right onto Marquette Street
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
Turn slight right onto US 6 Hist
At end of road, turn left onto US 6
Take the ramp onto US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 71
Turn right onto US 71
Turn right onto US 71
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
At end of road, turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
Turn right onto 1st Avenue West
At end of road, turn right onto West 8th Street
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
Continue on US 18; US 71
Turn right onto Linden Drive
Turn left onto Iowa Street
Turn right onto Kruse Beach
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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.
A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 171.1 miles from Davenport, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 218.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
At end of road, turn left onto US 6 / West Kimberly Road
Navigation decision point
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
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
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
Turn right onto US 71
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$53.50 one way
$107.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $58.74 | $117.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $65.85 | $131.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.55 | $151.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Davenport on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Arnolds Park on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
68°F
Waterloo, IA
171 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Waterloo
Storm Lake
Weekend Trip
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.
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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