Origin
Bettendorf, IA
Afternoon in Bettendorf on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bettendorf, IA to Waukee, IA
Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
184 mi
296 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Trip Overview
Connecting Bettendorf to Waukee, this 184-mile journey across Iowa is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 3 hours and 28 minutes. Because the route is highly efficient, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $28 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your drive. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the route is designed for speed rather than sightseeing. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense path between these two Iowa hubs.
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
92 miles from Bettendorf, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as you spend 96% of your time on major routes like I-80, I-74, and Hickman Road. The personality of this drive is dominated by a long, uninterrupted 171.8-mile stretch on I-80, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Because such a high percentage of the trip is on high-speed infrastructure, you can maintain a steady pace throughout the journey. The transition from the interstate to Hickman Road marks the final shift in the road's character as you reach the Waukee area. It is a predictable drive that prioritizes efficiency and direct travel over winding local paths.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 171.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Hickman Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 12th Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 28m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (Middle Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Middle Road
Turn right onto Middle Road
Navigation decision point
5
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
177.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 125
Toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
5
178.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
US 6 / Hickman Road
Turn right onto US 6 / Hickman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 171.8 mi | 3h 7m |
| Hickman Road | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| I 74 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Kimberly Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Middle Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 12th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ashworth Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 171.8 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bettendorf, IA and Waukee, IA.
1
Start on this road
74 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 12th Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
12th Street
3
Continue on Kimberly Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Kimberly Road
4
Turn right onto Middle Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Middle Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
6
Merge onto I 74; US 6
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
I 74; US 6
7
Merge onto I 80
172 mi
·
3 hr 7 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 125
Toward US 6: Hickman Road, Adel
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto US 6
5.6 mi
·
9 min
·
Hickman Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto CR R22
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
6th Street
11
Turn left onto Ashworth Drive
139 ft
·
4 sec
·
Ashworth Drive
12
Arrive at destination
Ashworth Drive
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple given the manageable duration, but leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion on the busiest interstate segments. With only one recommended stop needed to cover the 184 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself based on your own comfort. Keep in mind that since the vast majority of your time is spent on I-80, you should monitor your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours. Since you are traveling across the state, check the weather reports for the entire corridor before departure, as Iowa conditions can shift between your starting point and destination. Taking advantage of the single planned stop is the best way to stay refreshed for the final approach into Waukee.
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 92 miles from Bettendorf, IA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 171.8 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 1h 43m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waukee, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bettendorf, 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 Bettendorf, IA
This is one driving day of about 184 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bettendorf, 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 171.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92 mi from Bettendorf, IA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92 miles from Bettendorf, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 171.8 miles.
Arriving in Waukee, IA
The final approach into Waukee, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Waukee, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.95 one way
$55.90 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.81 | $61.62 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.74 | $69.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.88 | $81.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
| Efficient EV | 46 | 0 | $16.10 | $7.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.76 | $11.78 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Waukee, IA
Afternoon in Waukee on Sunday
Local time
1:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
3 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
3h 28m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bettendorf, IA to Waukee, IA covers 184 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, Hickman Road, I 74. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92 miles from Bettendorf, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 28m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (12th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (Middle Road): Navigation decision point; at 6.1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Bettendorf, IA to Waukee, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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