How far is Urbana, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99 miles (159.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Urbana and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbana and Des Moines.
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1
Start on West Wood Street
130 m · 14 sec · West Wood Street
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2
Turn right onto Ash Avenue
1084 ft · 34 sec · Ash Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 55th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 55th Street
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
49 m · 3 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
10.2 mi · 14 min
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6
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
1003 ft · 22 sec · West 2nd Street
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7
Turn left onto C Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · C Avenue
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8
Continue on State Highway 150
1576 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 150
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9
Continue straight
9.8 mi · 15 min
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10
Turn right onto 70th Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · 70th Street
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11
Continue on State Highway 199
540 ft · 11 sec · State Highway 199
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12
Continue on 1st Avenue
1468 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue
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13
Turn left onto 1st Street
773 ft · 16 sec · 1st Street
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14
Continue on 21st Avenue
2.9 mi · 5 min · 21st Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 73rd Street
11.4 mi · 13 min · 73rd Street
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16
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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18
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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19
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi · 6 min
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21
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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22
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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25
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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26
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbana and Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Urbana and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Urbana to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 122.7 miles (197.4 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?
Montour is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from Urbana and 61.7 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99 miles (159.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.7 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 2:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.33 one way or $32.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Urbana and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Des Moines.
Stop Ideas Near Montour
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 Montour.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Urbana and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 99.06 mi (159.42 km).
#1 Urbana
City in Benton County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,498 |
| Coordinates | 42.2241600, -91.8743400 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 197 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.42 | $36.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.97 | $45.93 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.