How far is Story City, IA from Urbandale, IA?
The driving distance from Story City, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 47.5 miles (76.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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 00h 48m.
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 Story County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Story City and Urbandale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Story City and Urbandale.
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1
Start on Pennsylvania Avenue
16 m · 8 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Broad Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
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3
Take the ramp right toward I-35 south: Des Moines
2153 ft · 52 sec
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4
Merge slight left
36.5 mi · 40 min
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5
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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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
1872 ft · 48 sec
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7
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
1 km · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
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8
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive
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9
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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10
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Story City and Urbandale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-35 south
Merge slight left
36.5 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Sunny leaving Story City and Sunny near Urbandale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Story City to Urbandale?
The road trip is about 47.5 miles (76.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Huxley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.7 miles from Story City and 23.7 miles from Urbandale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.30 one way or $12.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Story City and Sunny near Urbandale.
Stop Ideas Near Huxley
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 Huxley.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Story City and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 39.19 mi (63.07 km).
#1 Story City
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,320 |
| Coordinates | 42.1872100, -93.5957700 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| 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: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.10 | $14.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.86 | $17.72 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.