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Trip from Indianola, 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

3h 30m

Distance

185.9 mi

299 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 18m ★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Warren County, Iowa, United States

Indianola, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

city in Scott County, Iowa, United States

Bettendorf, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Indianola, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 185.9 miles and takes about 3h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, South Jefferson Way for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 151 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.06 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

92.9 miles from Indianola, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 185.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 30m highway drive covering 185.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 151 miles on I 80.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 151 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 92 / East 2nd Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Indianola, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 3h 30m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 92 / East 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 180.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 92 / East 2nd Avenue

Turn left onto IA 92 / East 2nd Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
180.5 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport

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

Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
5
185.3 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in

Take the exit toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront

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

Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street...
6
185.6 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in | US 67 / Grant Street

Turn right onto US 67 / Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
185.8 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 151 mi 2h 43m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 18.3 mi 20m
South Jefferson Way 10 mi 15m
I 74 4.3 mi 5m
12th Street 0.1 mi <1m
Grant Street 0.1 mi <1m
East 2nd Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 151 mi, about 2h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Indianola, IA and Bettendorf, IA.

1

Start on this road

79 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto IA 92

291 ft · 8 sec · East 2nd Avenue
3

Turn right onto US 65; US 69

10 mi · 15 min · South Jefferson Way
4

Take the ramp

1.1 mi · 1 min
5

Continue on US 65; IA 5

18 mi · 20 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
6

Continue on I 80; US 6

151 mi · 2 hr 43 min · I 80; US 6
7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
8

Merge onto I 74

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 74
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
10

Turn right onto US 67

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
11

Turn left onto 12th Street

0.1 mi · 39 sec · 12th Street
12

Turn left

74 ft · 3 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 92.9 miles from Indianola, IA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151 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 41 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.9 miles or 1h 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 51m

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 Indianola, 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 Indianola, IA

This is one driving day of about 185.9 miles and 3h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Indianola, 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 151 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92.9 mi from Indianola, IA · 1h 47m into the drive

city in Tama County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tama, IA

93 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

Colfax, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vinton, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Indianola, 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 151 miles.

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.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Grinders & Spaghetti House - Bettendorf

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bettendorf, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 185.9

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15633551722

Visit website

Teriyaki Madness

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bettendorf, Iowa

1.8 mi

Midtown Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

2.4 mi

The Grinders & Spaghetti House - Bettendorf

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 185.9

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15633551722

Visit website

Teriyaki Madness

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 185.9

Bettendorf, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15638881187

Visit website

Midtown Family Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13193519303

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 26.6

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Mantra Indian Cuisine & Spirits

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 185.9

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15634245500

Visit website

El Compita Mexican Restaurant Bar And Grill In Kimberly

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 185.9

Davenport, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15632145018

Visit website

Landmark Grill & Grind - Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.2

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+13196682209

Visit website

Los Agaves Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 132.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195192765

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 66.4

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 106.2

Williamsburg, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 132.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 132.8

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 119.5

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.06 one way

$58.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.91 $63.82
premium $4.89 $35.77 $71.55
diesel $5.61 $41.04 $82.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 55.8 0 $19.52 $8.92
Efficient EV 46.5 0 $16.27 $7.44
EV Truck/SUV 74.4 0 $26.03 $11.90

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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 16, 2026

Origin

Indianola, IA

Late night in Indianola on Saturday

Local time

12:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bettendorf, IA

Late night in Bettendorf on Saturday

Local time

12:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°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

22 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 30m 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 Indianola, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 185.9 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, South Jefferson Way. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 92.9 miles from Indianola, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.06 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.

The drive from Indianola, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 3h 30m with 84% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 92 / East 2nd Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 180.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Indianola, 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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