Davenport to Cherokee is 316.7 miles and takes about 6h 14m via Avenue of the Saints and US 6, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region and primarily utilizing surface roads. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 230 miles on Avenue of the Saints, it's a manageable drive for a single day. Plan for a straightforward route with a clear destination in mind.
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
158.3 miles from Davenport, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
230 mi
4h 22m
US 6
51 mi
56m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
530th Street
3.5 mi
4m
West Kimberly Road
2.9 mi
4m
Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
5m
State Highway 7
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 230 mi, about 4h 22m
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 Cherokee, 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
159 mi·3 hr 3 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
12
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
13
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
14
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
15
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
16
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi·2 min·V Avenue
17
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi·22 sec·State Highway 3
18
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.5 mi·4 min·530th Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto State Highway 977
0.4 mi·36 sec·State Highway 977
20
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi·3 min·East Main Street
21
Turn left onto US 59
156 ft·7 sec·South 2nd Street
22
Turn right
104 ft·7 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 14m estimated driving time and 316.7 miles, leaving Davenport in the morning should allow you to reach Cherokee before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, so consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause around the halfway point for fuel or a quick stretch, especially as you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure you have enough gas before heading into longer stretches, particularly the 230-mile segment on Avenue of the Saints. Flexibility is key on a single-day trip like this, so adjust your pace as needed.
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 158.3 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.3 miles or 3h 3m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cherokee, 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 316.7 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 230 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 316.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|Marquette Street
Turn right onto Marquette Street
Navigation decision point
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
316.7 mi into trip|~6h 14m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.65 one way
$105.31 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$57.36
$114.71
premium
$5.18
$64.62
$129.25
diesel
$5.35
$66.71
$133.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
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, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.25
$15.20
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
EV Truck/SUV
126.7
1
$44.34
$20.27
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Davenport, IA
Afternoon
in Davenport on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cherokee, IA
Afternoon
in Cherokee on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph11% 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
2 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 14m 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 drive is mostly surface roads, with only 17% on highways. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch on Avenue of the Saints for 230 miles before transitioning to other roads like US 6 and 20th Avenue. Expect more frequent intersections and varied speed limits as you move away from highway cruising. The profile suggests a more rural and potentially slower pace for a significant portion of the trip.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Marquette Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 316.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Marquette Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,398 ft587 ft
Total Climb
944 ft
Total Descent
335 ft
Highest Point
1,398 ft
~294.1 mi in
Elevation Range
811 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 Davenport, IA to Cherokee, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
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 14m. Total distance: 316.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230 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 Cherokee, 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 0.7 miles (Marquette Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cherokee, IA before the return drive.
