How far is Burlington, IA from Urbandale, IA?

The driving distance from Burlington, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 176.6 miles (284.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
176.6 mi
02h 50m
Flight
146.46 mi
235.7 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Burlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.46 mi
Kilometers
235.7 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
176.6 mi
Kilometers
284.21 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

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 02h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Urbandale
Tue, Jun 2, 6:34 AM CDT
Return by in Burlington
Tue, Jun 2, 9:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Burlington
2026-06-02T03:43
Arrive Urbandale
Tue, Jun 2, 6:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Burlington
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Chillicothe
IA

City in Wapello County, Iowa, United States

From Burlington
88.2 mi
01h 25m
To Urbandale
88.4 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Urbandale.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Urbandale.

  1. 1

    Start on South Central Avenue

    2288 ft · 50 sec · South Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on North Central Avenue

    999 ft · 27 sec · North Central Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward US 34 West, IA 163 West

    1573 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    26.2 mi · 31 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    61.1 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    69.4 mi · 1 hr 20 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit right

    2180 ft · 53 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    8.1 mi · 9 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake

    1872 ft · 48 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Merle Hay Road

    1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Meredith Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 70th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Maryland Drive

    4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington and Urbandale.

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
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
133 mi · 75%
US 34 West
26.5 mi · 15%
I 80 West
9.33 mi · 5%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.82 mi · 2%
70th Street
1.18 mi · 1%
US 218
0.79 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Continue straight

69.4 mi · 01h 20m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.1 mi
146.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chillicothe
01h 25m from Burlington
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Burlington and Mostly Sunny near Urbandale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Urbandale?

The road trip is about 176.6 miles (284.2 km) and usually takes 02h 50m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Chillicothe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.2 miles from Burlington and 88.4 miles from Urbandale.

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

The direct path is about 146.5 miles (235.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.49 one way or $46.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Burlington and Mostly Sunny near Urbandale.

Stop Ideas Near Chillicothe

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chillicothe, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chillicothe.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

12 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

83 mi away
418 North Adams Street
RAIL

Osceola

104 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Fort Madison station

113 mi away
1601 20th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 146.46 mi (235.7 km).

Burlington

#1 Burlington

City in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States

Population24,516
Coordinates40.8075400, -91.1129200
Altitude185
CountryUnited States
Urbandale

#2 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: South Central Avenue (-91.112886, 40.807541)
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 284 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.23 gal
23.59 L · about $23.49
Round trip
$46.99
12.46 gal · 47.18 L
Estimated CO2
55.4 kg one way
Round trip: 110.7 kg / 244 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.49 $46.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.50 $52.99
Premium $4.65 $28.99 $57.99
Diesel $5.30 $33.04 $66.09

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Burlington and Urbandale. The current time is 03:43:42.

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.