How far is Eldridge, IA from Urbandale, IA?

The driving distance from Eldridge, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 171.4 miles (275.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.5 miles (259.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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
171.38 mi
02h 37m
Flight
161.49 mi
259.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eldridge.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.49 mi
Kilometers
259.9 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.38 mi
Kilometers
275.81 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Urbandale
Sat, Apr 11, 2:46 AM CDT
Return by in Eldridge
Sat, Apr 11, 5:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eldridge
2026-04-11T00:09
Arrive Urbandale
Sat, Apr 11, 2:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eldridge
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
Williamsburg
IA

City in Iowa

From Eldridge
85.6 mi
01h 18m
To Urbandale
85.8 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 14 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 2nd Street

    22 m · 5 sec · North 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Donahue Street

    95 m · 13 sec · Donahue Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 1st Street

    1315 ft · 49 sec · North 1st Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Leclaire Road

    1 km · 2 min · East Leclaire Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right

    1937 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    69.9 mi · 1 hr 17 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    94.1 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  9. 9

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

    1872 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Merle Hay Road

    1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Meredith Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 70th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Maryland Drive

    4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Eldridge 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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Leclaire Road
168 mi · 98%
70th Street
1.18 mi · 1%
Meredith Drive
0.75 mi
Merle Hay Road
0.63 mi
IA 28 South
0.35 mi
North 1st Street
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

East Leclaire Road

Continue straight

94.1 mi · 01h 42m

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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
161.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williamsburg
01h 18m from Eldridge
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Eldridge 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 Eldridge to Urbandale?

The road trip is about 171.4 miles (275.8 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Williamsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.6 miles from Eldridge and 85.8 miles from Urbandale.

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

The direct path is about 161.5 miles (259.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 $22.81 one way or $45.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Eldridge and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Urbandale.

Stop Ideas Near Williamsburg

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

79 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

86 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eldridge and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 161.49 mi (259.9 km).

Eldridge

#1 Eldridge

City in Scott County Iowa

Population6,864
Coordinates41.6580900, -90.5845800
Altitude243
CountryUnited States
Urbandale

#2 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: North 2nd Street (-90.58443, 41.65809)
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 276 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.05 gal
22.89 L · about $22.81
Round trip
$45.63
12.1 gal · 45.78 L
Estimated CO2
53.8 kg one way
Round trip: 107.5 kg / 237 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.81 $45.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.73 $51.46
Premium $4.65 $28.16 $56.31
Diesel $5.30 $32.09 $64.18

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

There is no time difference between Eldridge and Urbandale. The current time is 00:09:41.

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.