How far is Urbana, IA from West Des Moines, IA?

The driving distance from Urbana, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 129.5 miles (208.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.5 miles (168.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 30m 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
129.49 mi
02h 15m
Flight
104.51 mi
168.19 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Urbana.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.51 mi
Kilometers
168.19 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.49 mi
Kilometers
208.39 km
Drive Time
02h 15m

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 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 8:08 AM CDT
Return by in Urbana
Fri, Apr 17, 10:23 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Urbana
2026-04-17T05:53
Arrive West Des Moines
Fri, Apr 17, 8:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:15 AM to 12:15 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Urbana
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
Le Grand
IA

City in Marshall County, Iowa, United States

From Urbana
64.1 mi
01h 07m
To West Des Moines
65.4 mi
01h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Friday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 18 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Urbana and West Des Moines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Urbana and West Des Moines.

  1. 1

    Start on West Wood Street

    130 m · 14 sec · West Wood Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ash Avenue

    1084 ft · 34 sec · Ash Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 55th Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · 55th Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    49 m · 3 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    10.2 mi · 14 min

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    1003 ft · 22 sec · West 2nd Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto C Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · C Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 150

    1576 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 150

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    9.8 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 70th Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · 70th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 199

    540 ft · 11 sec · State Highway 199

  12. 12

    Continue on 1st Avenue

    1468 ft · 35 sec · 1st Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    773 ft · 16 sec · 1st Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 21st Avenue

    2.9 mi · 5 min · 21st Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 73rd Street

    11.4 mi · 13 min · 73rd Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  19. 19

    Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue

  20. 20

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

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  22. 22

    Continue on John MacVicar Freeway

    9.4 mi · 12 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 28: 63rd Street, Windsor Heights

    1348 ft · 35 sec

  24. 24

    Turn left onto 63rd Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · 63rd Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Vine Street

    2147 ft · 59 sec · Vine Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbana and West Des Moines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 29%
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 26%
73rd Street
11.4 mi · 9%
55th Street
11 mi · 8%
State Highway 150
10.1 mi · 8%
John MacVicar Freeway
9.38 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25 mi
104.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Le Grand
01h 07m from Urbana
Leave By
2:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Urbana and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Urbana to West Des Moines?

The road trip is about 129.5 miles (208.4 km) and usually takes 02h 15m 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?

Le Grand is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Urbana and 65.4 miles from West Des Moines.

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

The direct path is about 104.5 miles (168.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25 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 2:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.23 one way or $34.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.6 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 West Des Moines.

Stop Ideas Near Le Grand

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

114 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Urbana and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 104.51 mi (168.19 km).

Urbana

#1 Urbana

City in Benton County, Iowa, United States

Population1,498
Coordinates42.2241600, -91.8743400
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
West Des Moines

#2 West Des Moines

The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.

Population69,057
Coordinates41.5772100, -93.7113300
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: West Wood Street (-91.874335, 42.22395)
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.57 gal
17.3 L · about $17.23
Round trip
$34.47
9.14 gal · 34.6 L
Estimated CO2
40.6 kg one way
Round trip: 81.2 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.23 $34.47
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.44 $38.87
Premium $4.65 $21.27 $42.54
Diesel $5.30 $24.24 $48.48

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

There is no time difference between Urbana and West Des Moines. The current time is 05:53:17.

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.