How far is Runnells, IA from Urbandale, IA?
The driving distance from Runnells, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 29.5 miles (47.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20 miles (32.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Runnells and Urbandale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Runnells and Urbandale.
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1
Start on East McKinney Street
24 m · 4 sec · East McKinney Street
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2
Turn right onto Brown Street
2613 ft · 52 sec · Brown Street
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3
Continue on Southeast 116th Street
3.3 mi · 6 min · Southeast 116th Street
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4
Continue on Camp Drive
954 ft · 19 sec · Camp Drive
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5
Continue on Southeast Camp Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Southeast Camp Drive
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6
Continue on Southeast 112th Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 112th Street
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7
Turn left onto East University Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · East University Avenue
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8
Continue on Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · Northeast University Avenue
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9
Continue on East University Avenue
3.1 mi · 4 min · East University Avenue
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10
Take the exit right
2180 ft · 53 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
8.1 mi · 9 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
1872 ft · 48 sec
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15
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
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16
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive
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17
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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18
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Runnells and Urbandale.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
8.14 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Runnells and Sunny near Urbandale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Runnells to Urbandale?
The road trip is about 29.5 miles (47.4 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.7 miles from Runnells and 14.7 miles from Urbandale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20 miles (32.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.02 one way or $8.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Runnells and Sunny near Urbandale.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
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 Altoona.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Runnells and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 20 mi (32.19 km).
#1 Runnells
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 498 |
| Coordinates | 41.5111000, -93.3574300 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| 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: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.87 | $4.02 | $8.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.21 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
| Premium | $4.76 | $4.95 | $9.91 |
| Diesel | $5.92 | $6.16 | $12.32 |
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 · Nov 09, 2026