Origin
Fort Madison, IA
Late night in Fort Madison on Saturday
Local time
2:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Madison, 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
2h 4m
Distance
99.3 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Madison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Bettendorf, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 99.3-mile drive from Fort Madison, IA, to Bettendorf, IA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing US 61 Business and U.S. 61, with a portion on West River Drive, this route keeps you on well-established roads for most of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, you can expect a consistent travel experience without needing to break it up into multiple days. This makes it a convenient option for a quick hop between Iowa communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 99.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 86% of the route on highways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 49.2 miles on US 61 Business, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway, the inclusion of West River Drive suggests a potential for a change of scenery closer to your destination. This isn't a winding, backroad adventure, but rather a direct and efficient path, allowing you to cover ground smoothly. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing forward momentum.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 61 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 49.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 61 Business and U.S. 61. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Avenue I.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 2h 4m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 61 Business / Avenue H): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 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
|
Avenue I
Turn right onto Avenue I
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 61 Business / Avenue H
Turn right onto US 61 Business / Avenue H
Navigation decision point
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 61 Business
Take the ramp onto US 61 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
99.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
99.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 61 Business | 49.2 mi | 59m |
| U.S. 61 | 20.3 mi | 22m |
| West River Drive | 9.1 mi | 16m |
| US 61 | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Douglas King Memorial Expressway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| 354th Avenue | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Avenue H | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 61 Business
— 49.2 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Madison, IA and Bettendorf, IA.
1
Start on this road
61 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Avenue I
139 ft
·
8 sec
·
Avenue I
3
Turn right onto US 61 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue H
4
Turn slight left onto US 61 Business
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
2nd Street
5
Continue on US 61 Business
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
354th Avenue
6
Take the ramp onto US 61 Business
49 mi
·
59 min
·
US 61 Business
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 61; IA 92
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
US 61; IA 92
8
Turn left onto US 61; IA 92
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Douglas King Memorial Expressway
9
Continue on US 61
20 mi
·
22 min
·
U.S. 61
10
Continue on US 61
9.1 mi
·
16 min
·
West River Drive
11
Continue on US 67
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
State Street
12
Continue on State Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
State Street
13
Turn right onto 12th Street
245 ft
·
17 sec
·
12th Street
14
Turn left
74 ft
·
3 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 99.3-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since the drive is short, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic in Bettendorf and allow for a relaxed pace. With no designated stops in the data, you can plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the 49.2-mile mark on US 61 Business. The estimated fuel cost is just $15, so keeping your tank topped off shouldn't be a major concern, but it's always wise to be aware of your fuel gauge, especially on longer highway stretches.
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 49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.2 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.7 miles or 1h 1m 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 37m
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 Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, IA
This is one driving day of about 99.3 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Fort Madison, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 61 Business for about 49.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.7 mi from Fort Madison, IA · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bettendorf, IA
The final approach into Bettendorf, 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 Bettendorf, 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
$15.52 one way
$31.05 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.05 | $34.09 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.11 | $38.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.92 | $43.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Bettendorf, IA
Late night in Bettendorf on Saturday
Local time
2:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 15 to 20 mph
66% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:04AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 9:20PM CDT until April 24 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
9 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 4m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 99.3 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 61 Business, U.S. 61, West River Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.7 miles from Fort Madison, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.52 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 Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 2h 4m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Avenue I): Navigation decision point; near the start (US 61 Business / Avenue H): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles (US 61 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Madison, IA to Bettendorf, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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