How far is Forest City, IA from Urbandale, IA?
The driving distance from Forest City, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.1 miles (182 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 25m 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 12m.
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 in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest City and Urbandale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City and Urbandale.
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1
Start on South 4th Street
109 m · 18 sec · South 4th Street
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2
Turn right onto East J Street
1114 ft · 28 sec · East J Street
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3
Turn right
11 mi · 15 min
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4
Turn left onto US Highway 18
1.1 mi · 2 min · US Highway 18
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5
Turn right onto Sage Avenue
26.7 mi · 37 min · Sage Avenue
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6
Turn left
15 mi · 21 min
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7
Turn left onto 190th Street
3.4 mi · 6 min · 190th Street
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8
Take the ramp right toward Somerset Road
2433 ft · 59 sec
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9
Merge slight left
59 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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10
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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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
1872 ft · 48 sec
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12
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
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13
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive
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14
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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15
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest City and Urbandale.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Somerset Road
Merge slight left
59 mi · 01h 04m
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 Forest City and Mostly Cloudy near Urbandale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest City to Urbandale?
The road trip is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?
Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.2 miles from Forest City and 75.4 miles from Urbandale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.1 miles (182 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.44 one way or $36.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Forest City and Mostly Cloudy near Urbandale.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest City and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 113.09 mi (182 km).
#1 Forest City
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 4,025 |
| Coordinates | 43.2624600, -93.6371600 |
| Altitude | 383 |
| 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: 223 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.44 | $36.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.80 | $41.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.76 | $45.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $25.94 | $51.87 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.