Origin
Bettendorf, IA
Late night in Bettendorf on Friday
Local time
2:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
123.2 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bettendorf, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, IA
Roger Ce
Trip Overview
The drive from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA covers 123.2 miles and takes about 2h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 12th Street, Kimberly Road, Middle Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.6 miles from Bettendorf, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 123.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 25m drive with frequent turns across 123.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
12th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA is easy. At 2h 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 12th Street | — | — |
| Kimberly Road | — | — |
| Middle Road | — | — |
| I 380 | — | — |
| Avenue of the Saints | — | — |
| IA 150 | — | — |
| 31st Avenue | — | — |
| Jamestown Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
12th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bettendorf, IA and Independence, IA.
1
Start on the route
75 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
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
·
25 sec
6
Merge slight left
4.4 mi
·
5 min
7
Merge slight left
57 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 380, US 218, IA 27
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
10
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
43 mi
·
48 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 150: Independence, Vinton
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
IA 150: Independence, Vinton
12
Turn right onto 31st Avenue
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
31st Avenue
13
Continue on Jamestown Avenue
10 mi
·
14 min
·
Jamestown Avenue
14
Continue on 3rd Avenue Southeast
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
15
Turn right onto 1st Street East
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
1st Street East
16
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southeast
43 ft
·
2 sec
·
5th Avenue Southeast
17
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.6 miles from Bettendorf, IA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Independence, 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 123.2 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Bettendorf, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.6 mi from Bettendorf, IA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.6 miles from Bettendorf, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Independence, IA
The final approach into Independence, 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 Independence, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.26 one way
$38.52 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.15 | $42.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.71 | $47.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.20 | $54.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37 | 0 | $12.94 | $5.91 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.25 | $7.88 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Independence, IA
Late night in Independence on Friday
Local time
2:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
18 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
2h 25m 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 Independence, IA covers 123.2 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 12th Street, Kimberly Road, Middle Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.6 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 $19.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA is easy. At 2h 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Bettendorf, IA to Independence, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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