Traveling from Monona to Davenport covers 140.7 miles of the Iowa landscape, making for a straightforward trek that lasts approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $21 on fuel for the journey, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies primarily on US 61, US 52, and US 20 to connect these two Midwestern hubs. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, the drive is manageable and efficient for any traveler looking to navigate the state without unnecessary complications.
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
70.3 miles from Monona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 61
62.1 mi
1h 13m
US 52
22.4 mi
30m
US 20
17.9 mi
21m
Great River Road
12.4 mi
16m
US 18
5 mi
6m
Southwest Arterial
4.9 mi
7m
Garber Road
4.7 mi
7m
Kale Avenue
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 61
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monona, IA and Davenport, IA.
1
Start on CR B45
160 ft·8 sec·East Iowa Street
2
Turn left onto CR X26
0.8 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 18; US 52
5.0 mi·6 min·US 18; US 52
4
Turn right onto US 52
15 mi·19 min·US 52
5
Turn right onto Kale Avenue
2.4 mi·3 min·Kale Avenue
6
Turn left onto CR C7X
4.7 mi·7 min·Garber Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto US 52
385 ft·9 sec·South 5th Street
8
Continue on US 52
12 mi·16 min·Great River Road
9
Continue on US 52
3.9 mi·5 min·US 52
10
Continue on US 52
0.6 mi·49 sec·Columbus Street
11
Continue on US 52
3.7 mi·5 min·US 52
12
Continue on US 52
0.7 mi·1 min·11th Street Northeast
13
Continue on US 52
475 ft·13 sec·11th Street Southeast
14
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Southeast
1.1 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue Southeast
15
Continue on Olde Hawkeye Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Olde Hawkeye Road
16
Turn right onto Wuchter Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Wuchter Road
17
Turn left onto US 20; US 52
18 mi·21 min·US 20; US 52
18
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·42 sec·US 52
Toward US 52 South: Asbury, Bellevue
19
Enter roundabout onto US 52
106 ft·6 sec·Southwest Arterial
20
Continue on US 52
4.9 mi·6 min·Southwest Arterial
21
Turn left
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward US 61 South, US 151 South
22
Merge onto US 61; US 151
62 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 61; US 151
23
Continue on US 61 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·Welcome Way
24
Continue on US 61 Business
2.3 mi·5 min·Harrison Street
25
Turn right onto West 4th Street
165 ft·4 sec·West 4th Street
26
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly three-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule, though leaving early in the morning helps you beat any potential midday traffic. Planning for at least one stop is a smart move to stretch your legs and refresh before completing the final leg of the trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, keeping in mind the estimated $21 cost, and top off before you hit the longest 62.1-mile stretch to avoid any mid-trip stress. Because this is a single-day journey, you have the advantage of being able to choose your preferred pace without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary. Use the time on US 61 to maintain a steady speed, as the highway-heavy nature of the route rewards consistent driving.
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 70.3 miles from Monona, IA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.3 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
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 Monona, 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 Monona, IA
This is one driving day of about 140.7 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Monona, 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 62.1 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 5.9 and 74.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5.9 mi into trip|~8m in|US 52
Turn right onto US 52
Navigation decision point
4
27.5 mi into trip|~38m in|US 52 / South 5th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 52 / South 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
69 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 52
Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52 South: Asbury, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 52 South: Asbury, Bellevue
4
69.3 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 52 / Southwest Arterial
Enter roundabout onto US 52 / Southwest Arterial
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Turn left toward US 61 South, US 151 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 61 South, US 151 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.00 one way
$43.99 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.15
$48.30
premium
$4.89
$27.08
$54.15
diesel
$5.61
$31.06
$62.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.2
0
$14.77
$6.75
Efficient EV
35.2
0
$12.31
$5.63
EV Truck/SUV
56.3
0
$19.70
$9.00
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 20, 2026
Origin
Monona, IA
Late night
in Monona on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Davenport, IA
Late night
in Davenport on Tuesday
Local time
5:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
21 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 4m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Effigy Mounds National Monument
National Monument
The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings o...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this route is comprised of major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 61, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the drive at 62.1 miles. The road’s personality is defined by these fast, steady highway segments that help you maintain consistent progress toward your destination. While the transition between US 52 and US 20 requires attention to signage, the overall character of the trip is functional and direct. You won't find many technical, winding backroads here, but rather a predictable path that allows you to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 mi on US 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 and US 52. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near US 52.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Monona, IA to Davenport, IA is easy. At 3h 4m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles (US 52): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles (US 52 / South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (US 52): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Monona, IA to Davenport, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
69 mi in|~1h 33m|via US 52
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 140.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 62.1 miles on US 61. 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.
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 5.9 miles (US 52): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles (US 52 / South 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (US 52): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Effigy Mounds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Davenport, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
