Davenport, IA to Forest City, IA is 247 miles and takes about 4h 54m via Avenue of the Saints, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a one-day trip primarily within Iowa, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a drive with frequent turns, making it feel more like a local exploration than a simple point-to-point journey. With 25% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a mix of faster travel and more winding local roads. This route is best suited for those who prefer a less predictable drive and don't mind navigating through smaller towns and varied terrain.
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
123.5 miles from Davenport, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 247 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a "Turn-heavy local drive" profile, with only 25% of the route on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time navigating through local roads and making frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 157.8 miles on Avenue of the Saints, indicating a substantial segment where you can maintain a steady pace before encountering more complex road networks. As you progress, the road character will likely shift from more open highway sections to more intricate local routes, requiring your attention to navigation and speed.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 157.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in near US 6 / West Kimberly Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 247 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 4.7 miles (US 6 / West Kimberly Road): Navigation decision point; at 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
5
58.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
58.9 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
6
130.3 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
6
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|US 218
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218 toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
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 Forest City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
Waterloo
58.9 mi in|~1h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Avenue of the Saints
157.8 mi
2h 58m
US 6
51 mi
56m
330th Street
8 mi
10m
I 380
5.6 mi
7m
310th Street
5 mi
6m
West Kimberly Road
2.9 mi
4m
Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
5m
Leo P Rooff Expressway
2.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 157.8 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Davenport, IA and Forest City, 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
51 mi·56 min·US 6
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
9
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
71 mi·1 hr 18 min·Avenue of the Saints
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
5.6 mi·7 min·I 380
Toward I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo
11
Continue on US 218
0.2 mi·18 sec·West Washington Expressway
12
Continue on US 218
0.7 mi·51 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
13
Continue on US 218
1.3 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
14
Continue on US 218
1.4 mi·1 min·Leo P Rooff Expressway
15
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 218
0.5 mi·58 sec·US 218
Toward US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly
17
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
87 mi·1 hr 39 min·Avenue of the Saints
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·58 sec
19
Turn left onto CR B20
1.6 mi·2 min·300th Street
20
Turn right onto CR S28
1.0 mi·1 min·Grouse Avenue
21
Continue on CR B20
5.0 mi·6 min·310th Street
22
Turn right onto CR S14
2.0 mi·3 min·Balsam Avenue
23
Turn left onto CR B14
8.0 mi·10 min·330th Street
24
Turn right onto US 69
1.5 mi·2 min·US 69
25
Turn left onto East J Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·East J Street
26
Turn left onto South 4th Street
358 ft·15 sec·South 4th Street
27
Arrive at destination
South 4th Street
Trip Plan
This 4-hour, 54-minute drive is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider an early start to take advantage of the full daylight hours and to break up the 257 miles at a comfortable pace. While the fuel cost is estimated at $39, it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge, especially when transitioning between highway and local road segments where fuel stops might be less frequent. Since it's a turn-heavy route, using a reliable GPS or navigation app is highly recommended to avoid missing those crucial turns and to ensure a smooth journey.
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 123.5 miles from Davenport, IA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.8 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.5 miles or 2h 23m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Forest City, 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 247 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 157.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.5 mi from Davenport, IA
· 2h 23m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.93
$11.86
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.61
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.58
$15.81
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Davenport, IA
Afternoon
in Davenport on Saturday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Forest City, IA
Afternoon
in Forest City on Saturday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 54m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Davenport, IA to Forest City, IA covers 247 miles and takes about 4h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, US 6, 330th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.5 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 $38.62 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 247 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles (US 6 / West Kimberly Road): Navigation decision point; at 58.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Davenport, IA to Forest City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
