This straightforward 89.3-mile drive from Mount Pleasant, IA to Bettendorf, IA is a perfect one-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 59 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on U.S. 61 and State Highway 92, also known as the Avenue of the Saints, offering a convenient journey within the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this route is budget-friendly. It's a highway-focused drive that makes for an easy transit between these two Iowa communities, allowing for a relaxed pace and minimal planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.7 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 89.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this trip, with 63% of the journey on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.3 miles along U.S. 61, providing a consistent pace. While primarily highway, the route incorporates segments of U.S. 61 and State Highway 92, offering a blend of efficiency and connectivity. This drive is designed for steady progress, making it a reliable option for getting from point A to point B without significant detours or challenging terrain.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. 61 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. 61 and Avenue of the Saints. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Warren Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Mount Pleasant, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 63% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles (IA 92 / State Highway 92): Navigation decision point; at 40.8 miles (IA 92): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Warren Street
Turn right onto West Warren Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.3 mi into trip|~30m in|IA 92 / State Highway 92
At end of road, turn right onto IA 92 / State Highway 92
Navigation decision point
6
40.8 mi into trip|~57m in|IA 92
Take the ramp onto IA 92 toward US 61 north, IA 92 east: Muscatine
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 61 north, IA 92 east: Muscatine
5
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|12th Street
Turn right onto 12th Street
Navigation decision point
5
89.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. 61
20.3 mi
22m
Avenue of the Saints
19.4 mi
22m
State Highway 92
16.9 mi
25m
IA 92
11.6 mi
13m
West River Drive
9.1 mi
16m
Douglas King Memorial Expressway
7.1 mi
8m
Iowa Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
North Broadway Street
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
U.S. 61
— 20.3 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Pleasant, IA and Bettendorf, IA.
1
Start on South White Street
58 ft·4 sec·South White Street
2
Turn right onto West Warren Street
0.1 mi·38 sec·West Warren Street
3
Turn left onto South Jefferson Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Jefferson Street
4
Continue on North Broadway Street
1.3 mi·3 min·North Broadway Street
5
Continue on Iowa Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·Iowa Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 218; IA 27
19 mi·22 min·Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
8
At end of road, turn right onto IA 92
8.6 mi·12 min·State Highway 92
9
Continue on IA 92
0.7 mi·1 min·Oak Street
10
Continue on IA 92
8.3 mi·12 min·State Highway 92
11
Take the ramp onto IA 92
12 mi·13 min·IA 92
Toward US 61 north, IA 92 east: Muscatine
12
Turn left onto US 61; IA 92
7.1 mi·8 min·Douglas King Memorial Expressway
13
Continue on US 61
20 mi·22 min·U.S. 61
14
Continue on US 61
9.1 mi·16 min·West River Drive
15
Continue on US 67
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Street
16
Continue on State Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·State Street
17
Turn right onto 12th Street
245 ft·17 sec·12th Street
18
Turn left
74 ft·3 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1-hour 59-minute duration for this 89.3-mile journey, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Consider an early departure to maximize your day at your destination in Bettendorf. With a fuel cost of around $14, you won't need frequent stops for refueling. The longest stretch is 20.3 miles on U.S. 61, so plan any quick breaks before or after this segment. This route is efficient, so focus on enjoying a smooth drive rather than worrying about extensive stop planning.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.7 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.3 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.7 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
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 Mount Pleasant, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Pleasant, IA
This is one driving day of about 89.3 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on U.S. 61 for about 20.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.7 mi from Mount Pleasant, IA
· 1h 1m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.96 one way
$27.92 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.33
$30.66
premium
$4.89
$17.18
$34.37
diesel
$5.61
$19.72
$39.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.38
$4.29
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.50
$5.72
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Mount Pleasant, IA
Afternoon
in Mount Pleasant on Friday
Local time
1:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bettendorf, IA
Afternoon
in Bettendorf on Friday
Local time
1:56 PM
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
1h 59m 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 Mount Pleasant, IA to Bettendorf, IA covers 89.3 miles and takes about 1h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. 61, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 92. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.7 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Mount Pleasant, IA to Bettendorf, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 63% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Warren Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.3 miles (IA 92 / State Highway 92): Navigation decision point; at 40.8 miles (IA 92): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Mount Pleasant, IA to Bettendorf, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
