Origin
Harlan, IA
Night in Harlan on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
270 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Harlan, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Davenport, IA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Harlan, IA to Davenport, IA covers 270 miles and takes about 5h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, US 59, West Kimberly Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 248.8 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
135 miles from Harlan, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 270 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 5h 5m highway drive covering 270 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and US 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 248.8 miles on I 80.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and US 59. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 93.9 miles in near I 80.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 93.9 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 108.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.6 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto West 14th Street
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Harlan, IA and Davenport, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
Minneapolis
Kansas City
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 248.8 mi | 4h 29m |
| US 59 | 8.5 mi | 11m |
| West Kimberly Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Hickory Grove Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
| US 6 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 12th Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Linden Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Locust Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Harlan, IA and Davenport, IA.
Start on Willow Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Continue on Linden Road
Continue on 800th Street
Turn left onto US 59
Continue on US 59
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight left at fork onto I 80
Take the exit onto US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Continue on US 6
Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
Turn right onto Gaines Street
Turn left onto West 14th Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
Turn right onto West 4th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davenport, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Harlan, 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 Harlan, IA
This is one driving day of about 270 miles and 5h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135 mi from Harlan, IA · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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.
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 135 miles from Harlan, 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 248.8 miles.
The final approach into Davenport, 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 Davenport, 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.
Regular Gas
$42.21 one way
$84.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.35 | $92.69 |
| premium | $4.89 | $51.96 | $103.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.61 | $119.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81 | 0 | $28.35 | $12.96 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108 | 1 | $37.80 | $17.28 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Harlan on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Davenport on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
72°F
Newton, IA
135 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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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