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Trip from Jefferson, IA to Davenport, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 23m

Distance

219.3 mi

353 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 10m ★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m

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

city in Greene County, Iowa, United States

Jefferson, IA

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Scott County, Iowa, United States

Davenport, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 219.3-mile journey from Jefferson to Davenport, Iowa, is a manageable one-day trip, taking an estimated 4 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on 230th Street and I-80, with a smaller portion on 73rd Street. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $34. Given its relatively short duration, it's well-suited for a single day's travel without needing an overnight stay. The route offers a straightforward Midwest experience, connecting two points within the same region.

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

109.7 miles from Jefferson, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this route, with only 24% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.2 miles on 230th Street, giving you a good taste of local Iowa roads. This means you'll be making frequent turns and likely experiencing varying speed limits as you transition between local roads and the interstate. The drive's character shifts as you move from more rural stretches to the I-80 corridor.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
230th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 77.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 142.9 miles in near US 218.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 142.9 miles (US 218): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 210 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
142.9 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | US 218

Take the exit onto US 218 toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport

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

Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South:...
5
159.1 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
210 mi into trip | ~4h 5m in | US 6

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

Toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock...
5
211.1 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in | US 6

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

Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, W...
5
218.3 mi into trip | ~4h 20m in | West 14th Street

Turn left onto West 14th Street

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 Jefferson, IA to Davenport, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.

Airport

142.9 mi in | ~2h 51m | via US 218

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
230th Street 77.2 mi 1h 29m
I 80 49.7 mi 54m
73rd Street 33.4 mi 38m
220th Street 31 mi 40m
Avenue of the Saints 15.4 mi 16m
West Kimberly Road 3 mi 4m
Hickory Grove Road 2.5 mi 5m
US 6 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: 230th Street — 77.2 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, IA and Davenport, IA.

1

Start on West Lincolnway Street

22 ft · 7 sec · West Lincolnway Street
2

Turn left onto IA 4

1.3 mi · 2 min · North Elm Street
3

Turn right onto US 30

31 mi · 40 min · 220th Street
4

Continue on US 30

77 mi · 1 hr 29 min · 230th Street
5

Continue on US 30

33 mi · 38 min · 73rd Street
6

Take the exit onto US 218

0.4 mi · 39 sec · US 218
Toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
7

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27

15 mi · 16 min · Avenue of the Saints
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80
9

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
10

Merge onto I 80

50 mi · 54 min · I 80
11

Take the exit onto US 6

1.1 mi · 2 min · US 6
Toward I 280 East, US 6 East, US 61 South: Rock Island, Moline
12

Take the exit onto US 6

0.4 mi · 51 sec · US 6
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
13

Continue on US 6

3.0 mi · 4 min · West Kimberly Road
14

Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road

2.5 mi · 5 min · Hickory Grove Road
15

Turn left onto US 6 Hist

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Locust Street
16

Turn right onto Gaines Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Gaines Street
17

Turn left onto West 14th Street

0.3 mi · 45 sec · West 14th Street
18

At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · Harrison Street
19

Turn right onto West 4th Street

165 ft · 4 sec · West 4th Street
20

Arrive at destination

West 4th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour, 23-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Jefferson to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Davenport. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, particularly during the 77.2-mile stretch on 230th Street, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. This route's turn-heavy nature means staying attentive to navigation is key to 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 109.7 miles from Jefferson, IA, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.2 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 48 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.7 miles or 2h 12m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Davenport, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, IA

This is one driving day of about 219.3 miles and 4h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Jefferson, 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 230th Street for about 77.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.7 mi from Jefferson, IA · 2h 12m into the drive

Downtown Vinton, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vinton, IA

110 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

Nevada, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vinton, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.7 miles from Jefferson, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 230th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 miles.

Arriving in Davenport, IA

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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.29 one way

$68.57 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.64 $75.29
premium $4.89 $42.20 $84.40
diesel $5.61 $48.42 $96.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.8 0 $23.03 $10.53
Efficient EV 54.8 0 $19.19 $8.77
EV Truck/SUV 87.7 1 $30.70 $14.04

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 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

Jefferson, IA

Night in Jefferson on Wednesday

Local time

10:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Davenport, IA

Night in Davenport on Wednesday

Local time

10:05 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Vinton, IA

110 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

3 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

4h 23m 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 Jefferson, IA to Davenport, IA covers 219.3 miles and takes about 4h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 230th Street, I 80, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.7 miles from Jefferson, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.29 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 219.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 142.9 miles (US 218): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 210 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Jefferson, IA to Davenport, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.

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