Spanning 191.5 miles across the heart of Iowa, this trip from Iowa Falls to Bettendorf is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 41 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $29 for fuel for the duration of the trip. Navigating through the Midwest, you will rely on a mix of major arteries including the Avenue of the Saints, I-80, and US-20. This drive serves as a practical connection between these two Iowa communities, offering a reliable path that avoids unnecessary detours. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick weekend getaway, the simplicity of this route makes it a stress-free choice.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.7 miles from Iowa Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
64.7 mi
1h 11m
I 80
57.8 mi
1h 3m
US 20
55.9 mi
1h 4m
Oak Street
5.1 mi
8m
I 74
4.3 mi
5m
East Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
12th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Grant Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa Falls, IA and Bettendorf, IA.
1
Start on Commercial Street
331 ft·11 sec·Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto East Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Rocksylvania Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 65
5.1 mi·8 min·Oak Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward US 20 East
5
Merge onto US 20
56 mi·1 hr 4 min·US 20
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
9
Merge onto I 80
58 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 80
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
11
Merge onto I 74
4.3 mi·5 min·I 74
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
13
Turn right onto US 67
0.1 mi·17 sec·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto 12th Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·12th Street
15
Turn left
74 ft·3 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable day trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though starting early helps you avoid potential congestion on the interstate sections. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the 3-hour and 41-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge as you transition between the Avenue of the Saints and I-80, as fuel stops are most convenient near the major interchanges. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily adapt your pace to suit your personal schedule. Prioritize consistency over speed to ensure you stay within your $29 fuel budget for the entire 191.5-mile trek.
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 95.7 miles from Iowa Falls, IA, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 42 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.7 miles or 1h 52m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bettendorf, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iowa Falls, 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 Iowa Falls, IA
This is one driving day of about 191.5 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Iowa Falls, 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 64.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 123.1
Coralville, Iowa
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13196255568
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 191.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.7 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward US 20 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 20 East
6
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
186.1 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
6
191.2 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|US 67 / Grant Street
Turn right onto US 67 / Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.94 one way
$59.88 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$32.87
$65.74
premium
$4.89
$36.85
$73.70
diesel
$5.61
$42.28
$84.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.4
0
$20.11
$9.19
Efficient EV
47.9
0
$16.76
$7.66
EV Truck/SUV
76.6
0
$26.81
$12.26
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Iowa Falls, IA
Late night
in Iowa Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bettendorf, IA
Late night
in Bettendorf on Sunday
Local time
5:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
2 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
3h 41m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 highway-focused drive is built for efficiency, with 62% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will find yourself cruising along major corridors for the majority of the trip, punctuated by a longest stretch of 64.7 miles on the Avenue of the Saints. While the route prioritizes speed and directness, the transition between regional highways and the interstate system keeps the experience moving steadily. You won't face many technical challenges, as the road is designed for consistent travel rather than winding, slow-paced exploration. Behind the wheel, expect a predictable rhythm that allows you to cover the 191.5-mile distance without heavy fatigue.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.7 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Avenue of the Saints and I 80. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in.
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 191.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 5.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 62.1 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 41m. Total distance: 191.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.7 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.
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 Bettendorf, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 62.1 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Bettendorf, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
