Origin
Davenport, IA
Night in Davenport on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Davenport, IA to Manson, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
253.8 mi
408 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Davenport, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Manson, IA
Dany Castrejon
Trip Overview
Davenport, IA to Manson, IA is 253.8 miles and takes about 4h 57m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically across Iowa, offering a straightforward, single-day journey. With a recommended one-day duration, you'll find this route is more about the local experience of traversing the state than vast, dramatic landscapes. Given the relatively short drive time, this is a practical option for a quick trip where you can focus on your destination. Expect a drive that is mostly on local roads with some highway sections.
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
126.9 miles from Davenport, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 187.8 mi | 3h 33m |
| US 6 | 51 mi | 56m |
| Tabor Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| West Kimberly Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Hickory Grove Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| Sigourney Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Marquette Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West 4th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 187.8 mi, about 3h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Davenport, IA and Manson, 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
117 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
11
Turn right onto CR N65
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Sigourney Avenue
12
At end of road, turn right onto D26
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
220th Street
13
Turn left onto Tabor Avenue
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Tabor Avenue
14
At end of road, turn right onto IA 7
25 ft
·
5 sec
·
190th Street
15
Turn left onto Tabor Avenue
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Tabor Avenue
16
Continue on 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
8th Street
17
Turn right onto 10th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue
18
Turn right onto Main Street
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, starting early will give you plenty of flexibility to reach Manson, IA without feeling rushed. With a drive time under 5 hours, you can easily complete this journey in one go, but consider a brief stop midway to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move between different road types; the $40 fuel budget is an estimate, and it's always wise to refuel when you see a station. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the sequence of local roads, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments. Relying on GPS is recommended for this kind of navigation.
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 126.9 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187.8 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 56 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manson, 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 253.8 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 187.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.9 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 187.8 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 253.7 — 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
252.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 54m in
|
IA 7 / 190th Street
At end of road, turn right onto IA 7 / 190th Street
Navigation decision point
5
253.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.68 one way
$79.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.57 | $87.13 |
| premium | $4.89 | $48.84 | $97.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.04 | $112.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.65 | $12.18 |
| Efficient EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.21 | $10.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.5 | 1 | $35.53 | $16.24 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Manson, IA
Night in Manson on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live 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
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
4h 57m 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?
This drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local experience, with only about 20% of the route on highways. You'll be navigating a series of local roads, including portions of Avenue of the Saints, US 6, and Tabor Avenue. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 187.8 miles on Avenue of the Saints, which provides a significant segment of consistent driving before you transition to other local routes. Be prepared for frequent turns and changes in road type as you make your way across Iowa. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise, but rather a more engaged drive through the state's countryside.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 187.8 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 Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 57m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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.
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 Manson, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
Waterloo
58.9 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 253.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 187.8 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Manson, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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