How far is Marshalltown, IA from Urbandale, IA?

The driving distance from Marshalltown, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 55 miles (88.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.6 miles (81.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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
55.01 mi
00h 58m
Flight
50.67 mi
81.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Marshalltown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.67 mi
Kilometers
81.54 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
55.01 mi
Kilometers
88.53 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 00h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Urbandale
Wed, Apr 22, 10:04 PM CDT
Return by in Marshalltown
Wed, Apr 22, 11:03 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Marshalltown
2026-04-22T21:06
Arrive Urbandale
Wed, Apr 22, 10:04 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Marshalltown
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
Mingo
IA

Human settlement in Jasper County, Iowa, United States of America

From Marshalltown
27.5 mi
00h 29m
To Urbandale
27.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 3rd Avenue

    31 m · 6 sec · North 3rd Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    2675 ft · 59 sec · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 3rd Street

    2231 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Madison Street

    1644 ft · 33 sec · West Madison Street

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto West Lincolnway

    2.2 mi · 4 min · West Lincolnway

  6. 6

    Continue on Marshalltown Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    35.9 mi · 43 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines

    10.6 mi · 13 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 Marshalltown 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
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Marshalltown Boulevard
38 mi · 69%
I 80 west
10.6 mi · 19%
West Lincolnway
2.23 mi · 4%
70th Street
1.18 mi · 2%
Meredith Drive
0.75 mi · 1%
Merle Hay Road
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Marshalltown Boulevard

Continue straight

35.9 mi · 00h 43m

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
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.4 mi
50.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mingo
00h 29m from Marshalltown
Leave By
4:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Marshalltown and Sunny near Urbandale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Marshalltown to Urbandale?

The road trip is about 55 miles (88.5 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

Mingo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.5 miles from Marshalltown and 27.5 miles from Urbandale.

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

The direct path is about 50.6 miles (81.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 4:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.32 one way or $14.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Marshalltown and Sunny near Urbandale.

Stop Ideas Near Mingo

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

91 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Marshalltown and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 50.67 mi (81.54 km).

Marshalltown

#1 Marshalltown

City in Marshal County, Iowa

Population26,736
Coordinates42.0494300, -92.9079800
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Urbandale

#2 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: North 3rd Avenue (-92.908043, 42.04943)
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 89 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.94 gal
7.35 L · about $7.32
Round trip
$14.63
3.88 gal · 14.7 L
Estimated CO2
17.2 kg one way
Round trip: 34.5 kg / 76 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.32 $14.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.25 $16.50
Premium $4.65 $9.03 $18.06
Diesel $5.30 $10.29 $20.58

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 Marshalltown and Urbandale. The current time is 21:06:14.

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.