Major city · United States
Moline
Give Moline one full day plus a night: John Deere Pavilion, the riverfront and Sylvan Island. Two nights if you use it as a Quad Cities base.
Moline is the Illinois half of the Quad Cities, on the Mississippi about 165 mi (265 km) west of Chicago. It is a compact, car-friendly river city built around Deere & Company: the free John Deere Pavilion and the company's 1,400-acre world headquarters display floor anchor a short visit, with the Channel Cat water taxi and the Rock Island and Davenport riverfronts next door. Most travellers see it in a day and sleep one or two nights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice), late Jul–Aug humidity
- Airport
- MLI
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Moline911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Moline, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMoline is a normal US river city: daytime downtown and riverfront are fine, and the usual advice applies after dark — stay in lit areas…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMLI Quad City International Airport (In Moline, 2200 69th Ave; no international flights despite the name.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights, the mall strip and the Deere headquarters are spread along River Drive and IL-5/John Deere Road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealSteakhouse dinner$20–40
- Street or quick mealPub burger or sandwich$10–17
- BeerDraught beer$5–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or ridesharecheck$12–18
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedBudget chain room (airport or mall strip), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBudget chain room (airport or mall strip), a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedBudget chain room (airport or mall strip), a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MLI Quad City International Airport (In Moline, 2200 69th Ave; no international flights despite the name. MetroLINK Route 20 Blue bus runs to Centre Station downtown about twice an hour.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid*
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Moline: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
8 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights, the mall strip and the Deere headquarters are spread along River Drive and IL-5/John Deere Road. MetroLINK buses cover Moline and the Illinois Quad Cities, and the Channel Cat water taxi links the Illinois and Iowa shorelines in season. Downtown to the airport is about 15 min by car.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive or MetroLINK across the river, about 10–15 min
Riverfront, the Rock Island Arsenal area and the Iowa side are one continuous urban strip.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-74 south, about 1 h 40 min
A full day or a stop on the way south.
Nauvoo
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
US-34 and IL-96 north along the river, about 2 h
Historic river town; long for a return day, better as an overnight.
Quincy, Illinois
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 15 min
US-34 and IL-336 south, about 2 h 15 min
Too far for a comfortable day return.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / John Deere Commons
River Drive hotels, walkable to the Pavilion, RiverStation and the arena; best for a short stay without a car.
Airport and Southpark Mall area
69th Ave and 52nd Ave chains with free parking; best if you are driving or flying out early.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–190 excl. bed
- High
- $190+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150 | US$300 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$65 · check | US$65 |
| MetroLINK single ride2 × US$2 · check | US$3 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$302 per person per day, bed included | US$603 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Pub burger or sandwich | $10–17 |
| Steakhouse dinner | $20–40 |
| Draught beer | $5–8 |
| 5 km taxi or ridesharecheck | $12–18 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Quad City International Airport has no scheduled international flights: connect through Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul or Denver.
- Amtrak service to Moline has been bus-to-Galesburg rather than direct rail: check the current timetable before you book.
- Winter brings ice on riverfront paths and sidewalks; summer brings river-valley humidity.
- Prices are shown before sales tax, and a tip of 18–22% is expected at sit-down restaurants.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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MolineMoline
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Moline; Belgium keeps an honorary consulate. Most countries: consulates in Chicago, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MLI airport → downtown Moline: about 15 min by car; MetroLINK Route 20 Blue bus about twice an hour (check)
- Channel Cat water taxi, Illinois ↔ Iowa shore: seasonal, per-ride fare (check)
- Amtrak Moline → Chicago: about $40–72 one way, currently by bus to Galesburg (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Moline. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice), late Jul–Aug humidity · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialCity of Moline
- officialVisit Quad Cities
- officialQuad City International Airport
- officialJohn Deere Pavilion
- officialQuad Cities MetroLINK
- secondaryWikivoyage: Moline, revision 5256392 (CC BY-SA 4.0)