How far is Decorah, IA from Urbandale, IA?
The driving distance from Decorah, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.9 miles (244.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Decorah and Urbandale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Decorah and Urbandale.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
120 m · 23 sec · East Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto Winnebago Street
104 m · 17 sec · Winnebago Street
-
3
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
989 ft · 25 sec · West Broadway Street
-
4
Turn left onto South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
-
5
Turn slight right onto Short Street
2148 ft · 1 min · Short Street
-
6
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2194 ft · 48 sec · State Highway 9
-
7
Turn left
9.6 mi · 14 min
-
8
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 49 sec · South Street
-
9
Turn left onto Charles Street
1751 ft · 39 sec · Charles Street
-
10
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
-
11
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
-
12
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
-
13
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
-
14
Continue on State Highway 24
20.3 mi · 28 min · State Highway 24
-
15
Continue on East Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
-
16
Continue on 210th Street
1801 ft · 39 sec · 210th Street
-
17
Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue
-
18
Turn left onto 200th Street
11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
-
19
Continue on 200th Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · 200th Avenue
-
20
Continue on 5th Avenue
1761 ft · 50 sec · 5th Avenue
-
21
Turn straight onto 4th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
-
22
Continue on Brantingham Street
759 ft · 26 sec · Brantingham Street
-
23
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
-
24
Turn left onto North Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street
-
25
Turn right onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
-
26
Turn straight onto 185th Street
862 ft · 14 sec · 185th Street
-
27
Take the ramp right
1685 ft · 41 sec
-
28
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
32.9 mi · 38 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
29
Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
-
30
Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines
2643 ft · 32 sec
-
31
Merge slight left
102.7 mi · 1 hr 51 min
-
32
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
6.4 mi · 7 min
-
33
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
1872 ft · 48 sec
-
34
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
-
35
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive
-
36
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
-
37
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
-
38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Decorah 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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Decorah and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Urbandale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Decorah to Urbandale?
The road trip is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
Thornton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.8 miles from Decorah and 90.6 miles from Urbandale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.9 miles (244.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.5 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 10:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.76 one way or $51.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Decorah and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Urbandale.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Decorah and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 151.85 mi (244.38 km).
#1 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.76 | $51.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.05 | $58.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.79 | $63.57 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.23 | $72.45 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.