How far is Creston, IA from Urbandale, IA?

The driving distance from Creston, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 77.1 miles (124.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m 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
77.09 mi
01h 23m
Flight
51.72 mi
83.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Creston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.72 mi
Kilometers
83.23 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
77.09 mi
Kilometers
124.07 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 01h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Urbandale
Thu, Apr 23, 3:44 AM CDT
Return by in Creston
Thu, Apr 23, 5:07 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Creston
2026-04-23T02:20
Arrive Urbandale
Thu, Apr 23, 3:44 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Creston
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
New Virginia
IA

City in Warren County, Iowa

From Creston
38.3 mi
00h 41m
To Urbandale
38.8 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 to 28 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 22 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Montgomery Street

    690 ft · 36 sec · East Montgomery Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Elm Street

    1 km · 2 min · North Elm Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Taylor Street

    30.5 mi · 42 min · West Taylor Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right toward I-35 north: Des Moines

    1219 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    40.8 mi · 44 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6

    1530 ft · 40 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Hickman Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Hickman Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 73rd Street

    1097 ft · 24 sec · 73rd Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 72nd Street

    3073 ft · 1 min · 72nd Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Roseland Drive

    1302 ft · 1 min · Roseland Drive

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 70th Street

    106 m · 11 sec · 70th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Maryland Drive

    4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-35 north
41 mi · 53%
West Taylor Street
30.5 mi · 40%
Hickman Road
2.96 mi · 4%
North Elm Street
0.64 mi · 1%
72nd Street
0.58 mi · 1%
US 6
0.29 mi
Longest Stretch

I-35 north

Merge slight left

40.8 mi · 00h 44m

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
01h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.4 mi
51.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Virginia
00h 41m from Creston
Leave By
3:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Creston 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 Creston to Urbandale?

The road trip is about 77.1 miles (124.1 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

New Virginia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.3 miles from Creston and 38.8 miles from Urbandale.

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

The direct path is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 3:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.26 one way or $20.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Creston and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbandale.

Stop Ideas Near New Virginia

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around New Virginia, 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 New Virginia.

RAIL

Osceola

16 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

55 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

112 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Creston and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 51.72 mi (83.23 km).

Creston

#1 Creston

City in Iowa

Population7,660
Coordinates41.0586000, -94.3613500
Altitude400
CountryUnited States
Urbandale

#2 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: East Montgomery Street (-94.36135, 41.058514)
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 124 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.72 gal
10.3 L · about $10.26
Round trip
$20.51
5.44 gal · 20.6 L
Estimated CO2
24.2 kg one way
Round trip: 48.3 kg / 106 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.26 $20.51
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.57 $23.14
Premium $4.65 $12.66 $25.32
Diesel $5.30 $14.43 $28.85

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Creston and Urbandale. The current time is 02:20:56.

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.