How far is Charles City, IA from Urbandale, IA?
The driving distance from Charles City, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 150 miles (241.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112.8 miles (181.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City located in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charles City and Urbandale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charles City and Urbandale.
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1
Start on 4th Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Brantingham Street
759 ft · 26 sec · Brantingham Street
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3
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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4
Turn left onto North Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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6
Turn straight onto 185th Street
862 ft · 14 sec · 185th Street
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7
Take the ramp right
1685 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
32.9 mi · 38 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines
2643 ft · 32 sec
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11
Merge slight left
102.7 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
6.4 mi · 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
1872 ft · 48 sec
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14
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
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15
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive
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16
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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17
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charles City and Urbandale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Charles City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbandale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Charles City to Urbandale?
The road trip is about 150 miles (241.4 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?
Oakland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.9 miles from Charles City and 75.1 miles from Urbandale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112.8 miles (181.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.2 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 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.95 one way or $39.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Charles City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbandale.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charles City and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 112.75 mi (181.46 km).
#1 Charles City
City in Iowa
| Population | 7,307 |
| Coordinates | 43.0663600, -92.6724100 |
| Altitude | 307 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Urbandale
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 44,650 |
| Coordinates | 41.6266600, -93.7121700 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.95 | $39.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.50 | $45.00 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.62 | $49.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.06 | $56.12 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.