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Trip from Atlantic, IA to Bettendorf, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 41m

Distance

252.2 mi

406 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 28m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Iowa, United States

Atlantic, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Scott County, Iowa, United States

Bettendorf, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Atlantic, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 252.2 miles and takes about 4h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, US 6, 650th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 174.9 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.43 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

126.1 miles from Atlantic, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 174.9 mi 3h 10m
US 6 62 mi 1h 7m
650th Street 6.4 mi 8m
I 74 4.3 mi 5m
East 7th Street 3.5 mi 6m
12th Street 0.1 mi <1m
Grant Street 0.1 mi <1m
Chestnut Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 174.9 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic, IA and Bettendorf, IA.

1

Start on this road

227 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Chestnut Street

266 ft · 9 sec · Chestnut Street
3

Turn right onto US 6; IA 83

3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
4

Turn left onto US 6; US 71

6.4 mi · 8 min · 650th Street
5

Take the exit onto US 6

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · US 6
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

14 mi · 16 min · I 80
Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

161 mi · 2 hr 54 min · I 80
Use the slight left lane.
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
9

Merge onto I 74

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 74
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
11

Turn right onto US 67

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
12

Turn left onto 12th Street

0.1 mi · 39 sec · 12th Street
13

Turn left

74 ft · 3 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 126.1 miles from Atlantic, IA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.9 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 55 miles or 1h 4m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 126.1 miles or 2h 22m 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 50m

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 Atlantic, 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 Atlantic, IA

This is one driving day of about 252.2 miles and 4h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Atlantic, 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 174.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newton, IA

126 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

Waukee, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newton, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 126.1 miles from Atlantic, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.1

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Downtowner Café & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atlantic, Iowa

0.3 mi

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Altoona, Iowa

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

coffeegirl

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atlantic, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17122501539

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

0.4 mi

The Atlas Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Moline, Illinois

1.2 mi

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.1

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Downtowner Café & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+17122432183

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90.1

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Farmers Walnut Street Diner

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17122508336

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.1

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15155133330

Visit website

Aura Restaurant & Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $40 mile 72.1

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152256005

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 72.1

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

The Flour Mill - Atlantic

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17122437797

coffeegirl

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17122501539

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.1

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

The Atlas Collective

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 252.2

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13099078163

Visit website

Coffee House Cafe and Goods

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 252.2

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15634849808

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.1

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Joh’s Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 252.2

Moline, Illinois

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+13095197076

Visit website

Cafe Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 252.2

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 72.1

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 234.2

Walcott, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 198.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 198.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 72.1

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 198.2

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.1

Waukee, Iowa

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 72.1

Urbandale, Iowa

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 72.1

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.1

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Fireside Lounge

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 12 pm–2 am

+17122432426

Cafe On Vine

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 252.2

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 7–7:45 am

+15633244472

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 72.1

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 72 and 252 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
72 mi into trip | ~1h 22m 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
86.4 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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
246.9 mi into trip | ~4h 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
5
251.7 mi into trip | ~4h 39m in

Take the exit toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street...
6
252 mi into trip | ~4h 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

$39.43 one way

$78.86 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.29 $86.58
premium $4.89 $48.53 $97.07
diesel $5.61 $55.68 $111.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.7 0 $26.48 $12.11
Efficient EV 63.1 0 $22.07 $10.09
EV Truck/SUV 100.9 1 $35.31 $16.14

Gas CO2

88 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

Atlantic, IA

Afternoon in Atlantic on Saturday

Local time

2:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bettendorf, IA

Afternoon in Bettendorf on Saturday

Local time

2:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Newton, IA

126 mi in

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

3 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

4h 41m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

252.2 mi in 4h 41m, mostly highway — 174.9 mi of that is on I 80.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.9 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 6. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 72 miles in near I 80.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 252.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 72 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 246.9 miles: 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.

Between Atlantic, IA and Bettendorf, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.

Minneapolis

72 mi in | ~1h 22m | via I 80

Kansas City

72 mi in | ~1h 22m | via I 80

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 252.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 174.9 miles on I 80. 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 72 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.4 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 246.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Bettendorf, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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