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Trip from Davenport, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

204.1 mi

328 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 49m

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

county seat of Scott County, Iowa, United States

Davenport, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Buffalo (historical), IA, IA

Buffalo (historical), IA

Karolina

Trip Overview

This 204.1-mile journey from Davenport, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 57 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I 80 and US 6, with a small portion on North Avenue, making it an 88% highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this drive through the Midwest region of Iowa is efficient and straightforward. You'll find it to be a practical option if you're looking for a direct and relatively quick trip between these two points within the state.

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

102 miles from Davenport, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 204.1-mile route, with 88% of the journey on major roadways like I 80 and US 6. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 114.8 miles on I 80, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely on fast-paced highways, the inclusion of US 6 and North Avenue might offer slight variations in scenery and speed as you progress towards Buffalo. Overall, the character is one of efficient travel rather than winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 114.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 6. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Marquette Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 57m 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: at 0.7 miles (Marquette Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (US 6 / West Kimberly Road): Navigation decision point; at 174.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | Marquette Street

Turn right onto Marquette Street

Navigation decision point

5
4.7 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 6 / West Kimberly Road

At end of road, turn left onto US 6 / West Kimberly Road

Navigation decision point

7
174.5 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha
5
187.3 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in

Take the exit toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset

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

Toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset
5
204 mi into trip | ~3h 57m in | Maple Lane

Turn right onto Maple Lane

Navigation decision point

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 Davenport, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA, road signs begin pointing toward Winterset along the way.

Winterset

187.3 mi in | ~3h 30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 114.8 mi 2h 5m
US 6 64.9 mi 1h 11m
North Avenue 13.8 mi 20m
West Kimberly Road 2.9 mi 4m
Hickory Grove Road 2.5 mi 5m
Clark Tower Road 1.5 mi 2m
Guthrie Street 1.1 mi 1m
Marquette Street 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 114.8 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Davenport, IA and Buffalo (historical), IA.

1

Start on West 4th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 4th Street
2

Turn right onto Marquette Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Marquette Street
3

Turn left onto US 6 Hist

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Locust Street
4

Turn slight right onto US 6 Hist

2.5 mi · 5 min · Hickory Grove Road
5

At end of road, turn left onto US 6

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Kimberly Road
6

Take the ramp onto US 6

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US 6
7

Continue on I 80

102 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

13 mi · 14 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec
Toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset
10

Turn left onto US 6; US 169

481 ft · 9 sec · North Avenue
11

Continue on US 6; US 169

1.1 mi · 1 min · Guthrie Street
12

Continue on US 169

14 mi · 20 min · North Avenue
13

Continue on CR P71

1.5 mi · 2 min · Clark Tower Road
14

Turn left onto CR G50

343 ft · 10 sec · St Charles Road
15

Turn right onto Maple Lane

195 ft · 8 sec · Maple Lane
16

Arrive at destination

Maple Lane

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 57-minute duration, this 204.1-mile trip is comfortably a one-day adventure. You can easily complete it without needing an overnight stop, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch on I 80 is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $32 estimated fuel cost in mind. With only one recommended stop, you'll want to ensure you're well-rested before hitting the road.

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 102 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.8 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 45 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 102 miles or 1h 57m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo (historical), IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Davenport, 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 Davenport, IA

This is one driving day of about 204.1 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Davenport, 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 114.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 102 mi from Davenport, IA · 1h 57m into the drive

city in Tama County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tama, IA

102 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

Iowa City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tama, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102 miles from Davenport, 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 114.8 miles.

Arriving in Buffalo (historical), IA

The final approach into Buffalo (historical), 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 Buffalo (historical), 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

$31.91 one way

$63.82 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $35.03 $70.07
premium $4.89 $39.28 $78.55
diesel $5.61 $45.06 $90.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 61.2 0 $21.43 $9.80
Efficient EV 51 0 $17.86 $8.16
EV Truck/SUV 81.6 1 $28.57 $13.06

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Davenport, IA

Evening in Davenport on Wednesday

Local time

7:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Buffalo (historical), IA

Evening in Buffalo (historical) on Wednesday

Local time

7:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

13 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 57m 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 Davenport, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA covers 204.1 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, US 6, North Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102 miles from Davenport, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.91 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 57m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Marquette Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (US 6 / West Kimberly Road): Navigation decision point; at 174.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Davenport, IA to Buffalo (historical), IA, road signs begin pointing toward Winterset along the way.

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