Davenport to Shenandoah is 311 miles and takes about 6h 3m via I 80 and US 59, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa for its entirety. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll find it a practical choice if you're looking for efficient travel between these two points without extensive detours.
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
155.5 miles from Davenport, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
184.7 mi
3h 20m
US 6
103.7 mi
2h 6m
US 59
14 mi
20m
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
West Sheridan Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 184.7 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,933 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,316
Quietest
2 AM
~175 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
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 Shenandoah, 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
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 6
7
Continue on I 80
102 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
83 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
10
Turn straight onto US 59
14 mi·20 min·US 59
11
Turn right onto US 6; US 59
39 mi·54 min·US 6; US 59
12
Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·West Sheridan Avenue
13
Turn right onto South Blossom Street
99 ft·9 sec·South Blossom Street
14
Turn left onto West Clarinda Avenue
108 ft·4 sec·West Clarinda Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
West Clarinda Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 3m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive before dark. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover ground quickly, but remember to factor in potential traffic delays, especially around larger towns. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider a mid-drive break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be around 185 miles.
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 155.5 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.7 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 68 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.5 miles or 2h 56m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shenandoah, 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 311 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 I 80 for about 184.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 311 — 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
7
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
5
257.1 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
5
311 mi into trip|~6h 3m in|West Clarinda Avenue
Turn left onto West Clarinda Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.71 one way
$103.41 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$56.32
$112.65
premium
$5.18
$63.46
$126.92
diesel
$5.35
$65.51
$131.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.8 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
93.3
1
$32.66
$14.93
Efficient EV
77.8
0
$27.21
$12.44
EV Truck/SUV
124.4
1
$43.54
$19.90
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Shenandoah, IA
Afternoon
in Shenandoah on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 2 mph5% chanceLive forecast
67°F
Mitchellville, IA
156 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 3m 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 97% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on major roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 184.7 miles on I 80. You'll transition to US 6 and then US 59 as you get closer to Shenandoah, marking the end of the high-speed highway portion. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits on the interstate.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 184.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 6. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Marquette Street.
Driving Effort3/10
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 3m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 174.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,388 ft587 ft
Total Climb
940 ft
Total Descent
547 ft
Highest Point
1,388 ft
~222.1 mi in
Elevation Range
801 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 Shenandoah, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Harlan 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...
The longest stretch is about 184.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 Shenandoah, 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 34 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 174.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shenandoah, IA before the return drive.
