This 331.3-mile drive from Onawa, IA to Davenport, IA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day. With an estimated duration of 6 hours and 9 minutes, and 97% of the route on highways, it's a practical option for a day trip. You'll be spending most of your time on I-80, I-29, and I-880, making for an efficient travel experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $52, so budget accordingly for this Midwest to Midwest excursion. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
165.7 miles from Onawa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
261.7 mi
4h 43m
I 29
40.5 mi
43m
I 880
16 mi
17m
West Kimberly Road
3 mi
4m
Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
5m
US 6
1.5 mi
2m
Iowa Avenue
1 mi
1m
State Highway 175
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 261.7 mi, about 4h 43m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 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 Onawa, IA and Davenport, IA.
1
Start on 10th Street
29 ft·8 sec·10th Street
2
Turn left onto IA 175
1.0 mi·1 min·Iowa Avenue
3
Continue on IA 175
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 175
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
5
Merge onto I 29
40 mi·43 min·I 29
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 71Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
7
Continue on I 880
16 mi·17 min·I 880
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·43 sec
Exit 16AToward I 80 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi·16 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
152 mi·2 hr 44 min·I 80
Use the slight left lane.
12
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
13
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 6
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
14
Continue on US 6
3.0 mi·4 min·West Kimberly Road
15
Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi·5 min·Hickory Grove Road
16
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
0.9 mi·2 min·West Locust Street
17
Turn right onto Gaines Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Gaines Street
18
Turn left onto West 14th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·West 14th Street
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Harrison Street
20
Turn right onto West 4th Street
165 ft·4 sec·West 4th Street
21
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 9-minute estimated duration for this 331.3-mile drive, it's entirely feasible as a one-day trip. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Onawa, IA to avoid any potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 261.7 miles on I-80, to ensure you don't run low between services. The $52 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for your budgeting.
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 165.7 miles from Onawa, IA, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 261.7 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 73 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.7 miles or 3h 1m 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 56m
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 Onawa, 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 Onawa, IA
This is one driving day of about 331.3 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Onawa, 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 261.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 42.9 and 322 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
42.9 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward I 880 East: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 71
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
8
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
9
155.2 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
6
169.6 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
5
322 mi into trip|~5h 51m 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
$48.93 one way
$97.85 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$54.01
$108.02
premium
$4.72
$61.51
$123.02
diesel
$4.80
$62.56
$125.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.4
1
$34.79
$15.90
Efficient EV
82.8
0
$28.99
$13.25
EV Truck/SUV
132.5
1
$46.38
$21.20
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Onawa, IA
Evening
in Onawa on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
SSW 6 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:02PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Davenport, IA
Evening
in Davenport on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:02PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
1 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
6h 9m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 331.3-mile trip, with 97% of your travel occurring on major interstates. The personality of this route is efficient, with long, uninterrupted stretches like the 261.7 miles on I-80. While this means steady progress, it also suggests a consistent driving experience without significant changes in road type or scenery. You'll primarily be navigating the familiar landscape of the Midwest interstate system, making it a predictable and easy-to-follow path.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 261.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 42.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 331.3 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 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,313 ft587 ft
Total Climb
450 ft
Total Descent
914 ft
Highest Point
1,313 ft
~94.7 mi in
Elevation Range
726 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Onawa, IA and Davenport, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
Minneapolis
155.2 mi in|~2h 49m|via I 80
Kansas City
155.2 mi in|~2h 49m|via I 80
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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...
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 331.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 261.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 46 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 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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 42.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 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.
