How far is Des Moines, IA from Urbana, IA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, IA to Urbana, IA is about 122 miles (196.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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 36m.
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.
Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Urbana.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Urbana.
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1
Start on East University Avenue
147 m · 39 sec · East University Avenue
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2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
2836 ft · 1 min · East University Avenue
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3
Turn right onto East 14th Street
1908 ft · 58 sec · East 14th Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward US 69, East 14th Street, East 15th STreet
1.3 km · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
1476 ft · 36 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 East: Davenport
1628 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 65 North, IA 330 North: Marshalltown, Bondurant
2428 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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11
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Road
33.5 mi · 39 min · Northeast Hubbell Road
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12
Take the exit right
2792 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Continue on 73rd Street
11.7 mi · 14 min · 73rd Street
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15
Turn left onto 21st Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · 21st Avenue
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16
Continue on 1st Street
773 ft · 18 sec · 1st Street
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17
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
1468 ft · 29 sec · 1st Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 199
540 ft · 11 sec · State Highway 199
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19
Continue on 70th Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · 70th Street
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20
Turn left onto 24th Avenue
10 mi · 15 min · 24th Avenue
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21
Turn straight onto State Highway 150
1005 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 150
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22
Continue on C Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · C Avenue
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23
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
1003 ft · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
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24
Turn left onto 24th Avenue Drive
3.8 mi · 6 min · 24th Avenue Drive
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25
Turn straight onto 55th Street
6.4 mi · 9 min · 55th Street
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 55th Street
46 m · 2 sec · 55th Street
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27
Exit the roundabout onto 55th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 55th Street
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28
Turn right onto Ash Avenue
1084 ft · 35 sec · Ash Avenue
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29
Turn left onto West Wood Street
130 m · 12 sec · West Wood Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Wood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Urbana.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Merge slight left onto Lincoln Highway
37 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Des Moines and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbana.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Urbana?
The road trip is about 122 miles (196.4 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Montour is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from Des Moines and 61.1 miles from Urbana.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99 miles (159.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.25 one way or $32.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Des Moines and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbana.
Stop Ideas Near Montour
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Montour.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Urbana. Straight-line distance: 99.06 mi (159.42 km).
#1 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Urbana
City in Benton County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,498 |
| Coordinates | 42.2241600, -91.8743400 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
End: Urbana (-91.87434, 42.22416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.25 | $32.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.33 | $36.66 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.06 | $40.12 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.86 | $45.72 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.