Origin
Keokuk, IA
Morning in Keokuk on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Keokuk, IA to Bettendorf, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
121.3 mi
195 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Keokuk, IA
Egor Komarov
Bettendorf, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Keokuk, IA to Bettendorf, IA is 121.3 miles and takes about 2h 30m via US 61, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Iowa. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that makes for a simple, single-day trip. You'll likely find it to be a practical way to travel between these two locations without much fuss. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to get from point A to point B.
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
60.6 miles from Keokuk, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 | 80.9 mi | 1h 35m |
| U.S. 61 | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| West River Drive | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| Douglas King Memorial Expressway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| State Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 12th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 80.9 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Keokuk, IA and Bettendorf, IA.
1
Start on US 136
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on US 61; US 218
72 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
US 61; US 218
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 61; IA 92
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 61; IA 92
4
Turn left onto US 61; IA 92
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Douglas King Memorial Expressway
5
Continue on US 61
20 mi
·
22 min
·
U.S. 61
6
Continue on US 61
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
West River Drive
7
Continue on US 67
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
State Street
8
Continue on State Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
State Street
9
Turn right onto 12th Street
245 ft
·
17 sec
·
12th Street
10
Turn left
74 ft
·
3 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 2h 30m, you have a lot of flexibility with departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $19, you won't need extensive planning for breaks or refueling. Keep an eye on the US 61 signage to ensure you stay on the most direct path. Since the longest stretch is over 80 miles, be sure to top off your fuel tank before embarking on that segment to avoid any potential delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.6 miles from Keokuk, IA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.9 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.6 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
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 Keokuk, 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 Keokuk, IA
This is one driving day of about 121.3 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Keokuk, 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 US 61 for about 80.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.6 miles from Keokuk, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 61 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.9 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
2 of 22 decision points cluster between mile 121.2 and 121.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
121.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
121.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.96 one way
$37.93 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.82 | $41.64 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.34 | $46.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.78 | $53.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.74 | $5.82 |
| Efficient EV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.61 | $4.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.98 | $7.76 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Bettendorf, IA
Morning in Bettendorf on Sunday
Local time
6:34 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 30m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the 121.3 miles on major roads like US 61. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 80.9 miles on US 61. The character of the road will be consistent for most of your journey, offering a predictable driving experience. You won't encounter many sharp turns or significant changes in terrain, making it a smooth ride for the majority of the 2h 30m duration.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.9 mi on US 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and U.S. 61. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 121.2 miles in near 12th Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Keokuk, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 2h 30m with 89% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 121.2 miles (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 121.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Bettendorf, IA
Full guide →Bettendorf is one of the Quad Cities, in Eastern Iowa.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 121.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.9 miles on US 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 121.2 miles (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 121.3 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bettendorf, IA before heading back.
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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