Lake Mills to Davenport is 253.8 miles and takes about 5h 3m via Avenue of the Saints and I-80, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads. With a single day recommended for this drive, it's a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without significant 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
126.9 miles from Lake Mills, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
81.9 mi
1h 30m
US 18
81.7 mi
1h 34m
I 80
49.7 mi
54m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
I 380
6.5 mi
7m
410th Street
5.4 mi
9m
Bluebill Avenue
3.7 mi
5m
West Kimberly Road
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 81.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Mills, IA and Davenport, IA.
1
Start on US 69
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
2
Continue on CR 105
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway 105
3
Continue on CR 105; I 35 ALT
1.5 mi·2 min·County Road 105
4
Turn right onto Bluebill Avenue
3.7 mi·5 min·Bluebill Avenue
5
Continue on North Western Street
1.0 mi·1 min·North Western Street
6
Turn left onto CR A38
5.4 mi·9 min·410th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Blanco River
8
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
17 mi·18 min·Avenue of the Saints
9
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi·26 sec·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
10
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
11
Take the exit
317 ft·7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
12
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi·39 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
13
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi·8 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
14
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi·3 min·Washington Street
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
16
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
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 80
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
19
Merge onto I 80
50 mi·54 min·I 80
20
Take the exit onto US 6
1.1 mi·2 min·US 6
Toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
21
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 6
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
22
Continue on US 6
3.0 mi·4 min·West Kimberly Road
23
Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi·5 min·Hickory Grove Road
24
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
0.9 mi·2 min·West Locust Street
25
Turn right onto Gaines Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Gaines Street
26
Turn left onto West 14th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·West 14th Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Harrison Street
28
Turn right onto West 4th Street
165 ft·4 sec·West 4th Street
29
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Consider leaving Lake Mills in the morning to take advantage of the 5h 3m drive time and arrive in Davenport with plenty of the day remaining. The $40 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll have flexibility on a drive this length. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before heading into longer stretches like the 81.9-mile section on Avenue of the Saints, as services can be more spread out there.
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 Lake Mills, IA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.9 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 34m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davenport, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Mills, 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 Lake Mills, IA
This is one driving day of about 253.8 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Lake Mills, 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 81.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.9 and 244.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.9 mi into trip|~41m in|US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
6
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
128.6 mi into trip|~2h 36m 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
193.5 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
244.5 mi into trip|~4h 45m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.68 one way
$79.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg89 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lake Mills, IA
Late night
in Lake Mills on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Davenport, IA
Late night
in Davenport on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 3m 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 route is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 58% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter the longest stretch without a major change in road type at 81.9 miles on the Avenue of the Saints. Expect to transition between the faster-paced Interstate 80 and other roadways, which means varying exit densities and speeds.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.9 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.9 miles in near US 18; IA 27.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 253.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 30.9 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.1 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.6 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): 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.
Between Lake Mills, IA and Davenport, IA, road signs point toward Blanco River, Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
Blanco River
13.4 mi in|~22m
Charles City
30.9 mi in|~41m|via US 18; IA 27
Dubuque
122.1 mi in|~2h 28m|via I 380
Cedar Falls
122.1 mi in|~2h 28m|via I 380
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 253.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.9 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 Davenport, 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 30.9 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.1 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.6 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Davenport, IA before the return drive.
