Origin
Spirit Lake, IA
Late night in Spirit Lake on Wednesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spirit Lake, IA to Davenport, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 56m
Distance
333.1 mi
536 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 45m
★
6 AM
6h 56m
8 AM
7h 19m
10 AM
7h 4m
12 PM
7h 2m
3 PM
7h 5m
5 PM
7h 18m
8 PM
6h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spirit Lake, IA
Tom Fisk
Davenport, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Spirit Lake, IA to Davenport, IA covers 333.1 miles and takes about 6h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 18, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 9 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 81.7 miles on US 18. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.08 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
166.6 miles from Spirit Lake, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 6h 56m highway drive covering 333.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 18 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 81.7 miles on US 18.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 50 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 18 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 18 and Avenue of the Saints. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 110.2 miles in near US 18; IA 27.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 333.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 110.2 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.9 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
110.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 18; IA 27
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27 toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
6
201.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
|
I 380
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380 toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids,...
6
207.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
272.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
5
323.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spirit Lake, IA and Davenport, IA, road signs point toward Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
Charles City
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via US 18; IA 27
Dubuque
201.4 mi in
|
~4h 21m
|
via I 380
Cedar Falls
201.4 mi in
|
~4h 21m
|
via I 380
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 18 | 81.7 mi | 1h 34m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 76.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| State Highway 9 | 51.8 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 80 | 49.7 mi | 54m |
| Leo P Rooff Expressway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| I 380 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 169 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| 430th Street | 6.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US 18
— 81.7 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spirit Lake, IA and Davenport, IA.
1
Start on Hill Avenue
156 ft
·
9 sec
·
Hill Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 71; IA 9
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
18th Street
3
Continue on US 71; IA 9
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 71
4
Continue on IA 9
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
150th Street
5
Continue on IA 9
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue
6
Continue on IA 9
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 9
7
Continue on IA 9
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 9
8
Continue on IA 9
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Central Avenue
9
Continue on IA 9
15 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 9
10
Continue on IA 9
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
4th Avenue
11
Continue on IA 9
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
430th Street
12
Continue on IA 9
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
4th Avenue West
13
Continue on IA 9
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 9
14
Continue on US 169; IA 9
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 169
15
Continue on IA 9
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue West
17
Continue on IA 9
16 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 9
18
Turn right onto US 69; IA 9
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
170th Avenue
19
Turn left onto CR A38
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
400th Street
20
At end of road, turn right onto CR R74
246 ft
·
3 sec
·
225th Avenue
21
Continue on CR R74
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
230th Avenue
22
Turn left onto IA 9
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 9
23
Continue on IA 9
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
350th Street
24
Continue on IA 9
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Evergreen Avenue
25
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
360th Street
26
Continue on IA 9
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Street
27
Continue on IA 9
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 9
28
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
29
Merge onto I 35; IA 27
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
30
Take the exit onto US 18; IA 27
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
31
Turn slight right onto US 18; IA 27
81 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 18; IA 27
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
32
Take the exit
317 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
33
Continue on US 218
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 218
Toward US 218 south: Waterloo
34
Merge onto US 218
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Leo P Rooff Expressway
35
Continue on US 218
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Washington Street
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 380
Toward I-380 south, US 20, IA 27: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Cedar Falls
37
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
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 80
39
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
40
Merge onto I 80
50 mi
·
54 min
·
I 80
41
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
42
Take the exit onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 6
Toward US 6 East, CR F58 West: Kimberly Road, Walcott
43
Continue on US 6
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
West Kimberly Road
44
Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hickory Grove Road
45
Turn left onto US 6 Hist
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Locust Street
46
Turn right onto Gaines Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Gaines Street
47
Turn left onto West 14th Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West 14th Street
48
At end of road, turn right onto US 61 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Street
49
Turn right onto West 4th Street
165 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 4th Street
50
Arrive at destination
West 4th Street
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.6 miles from Spirit Lake, IA, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.7 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 80 miles or 1h 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.6 miles or 3h 39m 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 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 Spirit Lake, 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 Spirit Lake, IA
This is one driving day of about 333.1 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Spirit Lake, 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 US 18 for about 81.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.6 mi from Spirit Lake, IA · 3h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.6 miles from Spirit Lake, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 18 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.7 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
$52.08 one way
$104.15 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $57.18 | $114.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $64.10 | $128.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.54 | $147.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.98 | $15.99 |
| Efficient EV | 83.3 | 0 | $29.15 | $13.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.2 | 1 | $46.63 | $21.32 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Davenport, IA
Late night in Davenport on Wednesday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 15 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
68°F
Waterloo, IA
167 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
5 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
6h 56m 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 Spirit Lake, IA to Davenport, IA covers 333.1 miles and takes about 6h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 18, Avenue of the Saints, State Highway 9. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.6 miles from Spirit Lake, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $52.08 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 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 is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 333.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 110.2 miles (US 18; IA 27): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.4 miles (I 380): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.9 miles (I 380; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Spirit Lake, IA and Davenport, IA, road signs point toward Charles City, Dubuque and Cedar Falls.
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