Origin
Jefferson, IA
Night in Jefferson on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Davenport, IA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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.
On the drive from Jefferson, IA to Davenport, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Airport along the way.
Airport
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, IA and Davenport, IA.
Start on West Lincolnway Street
Turn left onto IA 4
Turn right onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Continue on US 30
Take the exit onto US 218
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge 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
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before 230th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$34.29 one way
$68.57 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Jefferson on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Davenport on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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