How far is Davenport, IA from Forest City, IA?

The driving distance from Davenport, IA to Forest City, IA is about 247 miles (397.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 197 miles (317 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
247.03 mi
04h 54m
Flight
196.97 mi
317 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Davenport.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
196.97 mi
Kilometers
317 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
247.03 mi
Kilometers
397.55 km
Drive Time
04h 54m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Forest City
Sat, Apr 18, 5:45 AM CDT
Return by in Davenport
Sat, Apr 18, 10:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Davenport
2026-04-18T00:51
Arrive Forest City
Sat, Apr 18, 5:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Davenport
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Gilbertville
IA

City in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States of America.

From Davenport
123.4 mi
02h 27m
To Forest City
123.7 mi
02h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph W
Destination
44°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Davenport and Forest City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Davenport and Forest City.

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Marquette Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Marquette Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Locust Street

    2659 ft · 1 min · West Locust Street

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto Hickory Grove Road

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Hickory Grove Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Kimberly Road

    2.9 mi · 4 min · West Kimberly Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right

    51 mi · 56 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    70.8 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I-380 north, US 218 north: Waterloo

    5.6 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

    Continue on West Washington Expressway

    1293 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Expressway

  12. 12

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  13. 13

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right

    1309 ft · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on US 218 North, IA 27 North: Waverly

    2382 ft · 58 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    87 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Avenue of the Saints

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    2066 ft · 59 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 300th Street

    1.6 mi · 2 min · 300th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Grouse Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · Grouse Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on 310th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 310th Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Balsam Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Balsam Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 330th Street

    8 mi · 11 min · 330th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East J Street

    1114 ft · 28 sec · East J Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    109 m · 16 sec · South 4th Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 4th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Davenport and Forest City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
27 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
158 mi · 64%
West Kimberly Road
53.9 mi · 22%
330th Street
8.02 mi · 3%
I-380 north
5.63 mi · 2%
310th Street
4.97 mi · 2%
Hickory Grove Road
2.46 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

87 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 54m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+50 mi
197 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gilbertville
02h 27m from Davenport
Leave By
7:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Davenport and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Forest City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Davenport to Forest City?

The road trip is about 247 miles (397.5 km) and usually takes 04h 54m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gilbertville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.4 miles from Davenport and 123.7 miles from Forest City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 197 miles (317 km), while the road route adds roughly 50 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.88 one way or $65.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Davenport and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Forest City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Davenport and Forest City. Straight-line distance: 196.97 mi (317 km).

Davenport

#1 Davenport

The most populous city in Scott County, Iowa.

Population101,799
Coordinates41.5236400, -90.5776400
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Forest City

#2 Forest City

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

Population4,025
Coordinates43.2624600, -93.6371600
Altitude383
CountryUnited States
Start: Davenport (-90.57764, 41.52364)
End: Forest City (-93.63716, 43.26246)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 398 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.72 gal
33 L · about $32.88
Round trip
$65.77
17.44 gal · 66 L
Estimated CO2
77.5 kg one way
Round trip: 155 kg / 342 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.88 $65.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.09 $74.17
Premium $4.65 $40.58 $81.17
Diesel $5.30 $46.25 $92.50

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Davenport and Forest City. The current time is 00:51:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.