Davenport to Nora Springs is 203.5 miles and takes about 4h 2m via Avenue of the Saints and US 6, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll be spending most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more leisurely pace than a pure interstate drive. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that can easily be completed with a morning departure.
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
101.7 miles from Davenport, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
127.2 mi
2h 23m
US 6
51 mi
56m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
County Road B30
5 mi
8m
West Kimberly Road
2.9 mi
4m
Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
5m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
West Washington Street
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 127.2 mi, about 2h 23m
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
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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 Nora Springs, 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
56 mi·1 hr 5 min·Avenue of the Saints
18
Turn right onto CR B30
0.6 mi·1 min·Rudd Park Road
19
Continue on CR B30
5.0 mi·8 min·County Road B30
20
Continue on CR B30
1.1 mi·1 min·East Congress Street
21
Turn right onto Iowa Avenue
6 ft·0 sec·Iowa Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Iowa Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 4 hours, you can comfortably leave Davenport anytime in the morning. The longest stretch without a break is 127.2 miles, so plan for a stop around the halfway point if you prefer to break up the driving. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $36, this trip is budget-friendly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer surface road sections where gas stations might be less frequent than on major interstates.
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 101.7 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.2 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.7 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nora Springs, 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 203.5 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 127.2 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 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
$33.83 one way
$67.67 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$36.85
$73.71
premium
$5.18
$41.53
$83.05
diesel
$5.35
$42.86
$85.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.37
$9.77
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.81
$8.14
EV Truck/SUV
81.4
1
$28.49
$13.02
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Davenport, IA
Afternoon
in Davenport on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 31 at 2:43AM CDT until May 31 at 8:45AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Destination
Nora Springs, IA
Afternoon
in Nora Springs on Wednesday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
E 8 to 12 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 31 at 2:43AM CDT until May 31 at 8:45AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
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
3 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 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, making up 71% of the total mileage. You'll encounter 29% highway driving, primarily on Avenue of the Saints and US 6. The longest continuous stretch on these primary roads is 127.2 miles. Expect more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you transition from highway segments to rural routes.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.2 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
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 4.7 miles in near US 6 / West Kimberly Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 203.5 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 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
1,085 ft587 ft
Total Climb
637 ft
Total Descent
140 ft
Highest Point
1,085 ft
~203.5 mi in
Elevation Range
498 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 Nora Springs, 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 4h 2m. Total distance: 203.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.2 miles on Avenue of the Saints. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 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 Nora Springs, 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 22 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Nora Springs, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
