The drive from Norwalk, IA to Davenport, IA covers 178.5 miles and takes about 3h 25m 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, West Kimberly Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.8 miles on I 80.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.91 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
89.2 miles from Norwalk, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 178.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 178.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 142.8 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 18 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 142.8 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 around 2.5 miles in near CR R63 / County Road R63.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Norwalk, IA to Davenport, IA is easy. At 3h 25m with 81% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (CR R63 / County Road R63): Navigation decision point; at 169.1 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.3 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|CR R63 / County Road R63
At end of road, turn left onto CR R63 / County Road R63
Navigation decision point
5
169.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
170.3 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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...
4
177.1 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|Gaines Street
Turn right onto Gaines Street
Navigation decision point
5
177.4 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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 Norwalk, IA to Davenport, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Moline along the way.
Moline
169.1 mi in|~3h 6m|via US 6
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
142.8 mi
2h 33m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
21.8 mi
24m
West Kimberly Road
3 mi
4m
Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
5m
US 6
1.5 mi
2m
County Road G14
1.4 mi
2m
County Road R63
1.2 mi
2m
North Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 142.8 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk, IA and Davenport, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
82 ft·8 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR G14
1.1 mi·1 min·North Avenue
3
Continue on County Road G14
1.4 mi·2 min·County Road G14
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR R63
1.2 mi·2 min·County Road R63
5
Continue on CR R63
0.4 mi·48 sec·Southwest 9th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·42 sec
7
Merge onto IA 5
22 mi·24 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
8
Continue on I 80; US 6
143 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 80; US 6
9
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
10
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi·51 sec·US 6
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
11
Continue on US 6
3.0 mi·4 min·West Kimberly Road
12
Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi·5 min·Hickory Grove Road
13
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
0.9 mi·2 min·West Locust Street
14
Turn right onto Gaines Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·Gaines Street
15
Turn left onto West 14th Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·West 14th Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·Harrison Street
17
Turn right onto West 4th Street
165 ft·4 sec·West 4th Street
18
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
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 89.2 miles from Norwalk, IA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.8 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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.2 miles or 1h 40m 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 42m
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 Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, IA
This is one driving day of about 178.5 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Norwalk, 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 142.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.2 mi from Norwalk, IA
· 1h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 89.2 miles from Norwalk, 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 142.8 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.
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
$27.91 one way
$55.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.64
$61.28
premium
$4.89
$34.35
$68.70
diesel
$5.61
$39.41
$78.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.6
0
$18.74
$8.57
Efficient EV
44.6
0
$15.62
$7.14
EV Truck/SUV
71.4
0
$24.99
$11.42
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 14, 2026
Origin
Norwalk, IA
Morning
in Norwalk on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 7 to 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 16 at 7:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Davenport, IA
Morning
in Davenport on Saturday
Local time
7:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 16 at 7:30AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 13 at 9:00PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
4 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
3h 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Norwalk, IA to Davenport, IA covers 178.5 miles and takes about 3h 25m 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, West Kimberly Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.2 miles from Norwalk, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.91 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 Norwalk, IA to Davenport, IA is easy. At 3h 25m with 81% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (CR R63 / County Road R63): Navigation decision point; at 169.1 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 170.3 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Norwalk, IA to Davenport, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Moline along the way.
