How far is Sergeant Bluff, IA from Urbandale, IA?

The driving distance from Sergeant Bluff, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 189.2 miles (304.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 146.1 miles (235.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 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
189.19 mi
02h 58m
Flight
146.07 mi
235.08 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sergeant Bluff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
146.07 mi
Kilometers
235.08 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
189.19 mi
Kilometers
304.47 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Urbandale
Wed, Apr 29, 9:03 PM CDT
Return by in Sergeant Bluff
Thu, Apr 30, 12:01 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sergeant Bluff
2026-04-29T18:04
Arrive Urbandale
Wed, Apr 29, 9:03 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:59 AM to 12:59 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sergeant Bluff
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
Shelby
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Sergeant Bluff
94.5 mi
01h 29m
To Urbandale
94.6 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
37°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
43°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sergeant Bluff and Urbandale.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street

    37 m · 11 sec · 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto E Street

    1273 ft · 58 sec · E Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 1st Street

    2524 ft · 1 min · 1st Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 29 South

    1849 ft · 45 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    69.3 mi · 1 hr 14 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    16 mi · 17 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 44 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines

    2657 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn sharp left onto 73rd Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · 73rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 72nd Street

    3073 ft · 1 min · 72nd Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Roseland Drive

    1302 ft · 1 min · Roseland Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 70th Street

    106 m · 11 sec · 70th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Maryland Drive

    4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sergeant Bluff and Urbandale.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
95.6 mi · 51%
I 29 South
69.6 mi · 37%
I 880 East
16.8 mi · 9%
John MacVicar Freeway
3.32 mi · 2%
73rd Street
1.89 mi · 1%
72nd Street
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight right

94.9 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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.1 mi
146.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Shelby
01h 29m from Sergeant Bluff
Leave By
12:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Sergeant Bluff 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 Sergeant Bluff to Urbandale?

The road trip is about 189.2 miles (304.5 km) and usually takes 02h 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?

Shelby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.5 miles from Sergeant Bluff and 94.6 miles from Urbandale.

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

The direct path is about 146.1 miles (235.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.1 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 12:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.19 one way or $50.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Sergeant Bluff and Mostly Cloudy near Urbandale.

Stop Ideas Near Shelby

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

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

RAIL

Omaha

50 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Creston

104 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sergeant Bluff and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 146.07 mi (235.08 km).

Sergeant Bluff

#1 Sergeant Bluff

City in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States of America

Population5,119
Coordinates42.4038800, -96.3586400
Altitude334
CountryUnited States
Urbandale

#2 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street (-96.35864, 42.40386)
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 304 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.68 gal
25.27 L · about $25.19
Round trip
$50.38
13.36 gal · 50.54 L
Estimated CO2
59.4 kg one way
Round trip: 118.7 kg / 262 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.19 $50.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.41 $56.82
Premium $4.65 $31.09 $62.18
Diesel $5.30 $35.43 $70.86

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Sergeant Bluff and Urbandale. The current time is 18:04:26.

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.