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Trip from Le Mars, IA to Bettendorf, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h

Distance

357.2 mi

575 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 49m ★
6 AM
7h 0m
8 AM
7h 23m
10 AM
7h 8m
12 PM
7h 6m
3 PM
7h 9m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 54m

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

city in Iowa, United States

Le Mars, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Scott County, Iowa, United States

Bettendorf, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Le Mars, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 357.2 miles and takes about 7h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 220th Street, Avenue of the Saints, I 80 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 165.9 miles on 220th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.84 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

178.6 miles from Le Mars, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h. Total distance: 357.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 7h drive with frequent turns across 357.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 165.9 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 34.7 miles in near US 20 / Highway 20.

Driving Effort 6/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 357.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 34.7 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 227.9 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 292.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

6
34.7 mi into trip | ~49m in | US 20 / Highway 20

Turn left onto US 20 / Highway 20

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
227.9 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in | I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
5
292.8 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
351.9 mi into trip | ~6h 52m 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
6
357 mi into trip | ~6h 59m in | US 67 / Grant Street

Turn right onto US 67 / Grant Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 165.9 mi 3h 11m
Avenue of the Saints 64.7 mi 1h 11m
I 80 57.8 mi 1h 3m
Highway 20 19 mi 22m
United States Highway 20 8.3 mi 10m
Oyens Avenue 7 mi 9m
Lee Avenue 5.4 mi 7m
County Road K64 5 mi 6m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 165.9 mi, about 3h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 1st Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast
2

Turn left onto IA 3

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 5th Avenue Northeast
3

Continue on IA 3

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lincoln Street Northeast
4

Continue on IA 3

4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
5

Turn right onto County Road K64

5.0 mi · 6 min · County Road K64
6

Continue on Oyens Avenue

7.0 mi · 9 min · Oyens Avenue
7

Turn left onto CR C60

2.0 mi · 2 min · C 60
8

Turn right onto County Road C66

2.4 mi · 3 min · County Road C66
9

Continue on 310th Street

1.4 mi · 1 min · 310th Street
10

Turn straight onto County Highway C66

0.8 mi · 1 min · County Highway C66
11

Continue on Main Street

0.2 mi · 52 sec · Main Street
12

Turn left onto East 3rd Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 3rd Street
13

Continue on C66

2.0 mi · 2 min · 320th Street
14

Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

2.0 mi · 2 min · Shamrock Avenue
15

Continue on L21

5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
16

Turn left onto US 20

19 mi · 22 min · Highway 20
Use the straight lane.
17

Continue on US 20

8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
18

Continue on US 20

166 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 380; IA 27

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Avenue of the Saints
Toward I 380 South, IA 27 South: Cedar Rapids
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 80
21

Keep slight left at fork

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
22

Merge onto I 80

58 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 80
23

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 74 East: Bettendorf, Davenport
24

Merge onto I 74

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 74
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward US 67: US 67, Grant Street, State Street, Riverfront
26

Turn right onto US 67

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Grant Street
Use the right lane.
27

Turn left onto 12th Street

0.1 mi · 39 sec · 12th Street
28

Turn left

74 ft · 3 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.6 miles from Le Mars, IA, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.9 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 79 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 178.6 miles or 3h 37m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 52m

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 Le Mars, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Le Mars, IA

This is one driving day of about 357.2 miles and 7h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Le Mars, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on 220th Street for about 165.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 178.6 mi from Le Mars, IA · 3h 37m into the drive

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waterloo, IA

179 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

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.6 miles from Le Mars, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.9 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$55.84 one way

$111.69 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $61.31 $122.63
premium $4.89 $68.74 $137.48
diesel $5.61 $78.87 $157.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.2 1 $37.51 $17.15
Efficient EV 89.3 1 $31.25 $14.29
EV Truck/SUV 142.9 1 $50.01 $22.86

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Le Mars, IA

Morning in Le Mars on Friday

Local time

6:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bettendorf, IA

Morning in Bettendorf on Friday

Local time

6:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Waterloo, IA

179 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

2 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

7h on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Le Mars, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 357.2 miles and takes about 7h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 220th Street, Avenue of the Saints, I 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 178.6 miles from Le Mars, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 357.2 miles you will encounter 17 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 34.7 miles (US 20 / Highway 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 227.9 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 292.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Le Mars, IA to Bettendorf, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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