How far is Urbandale, IA from Emmetsburg, IA?

The driving distance from Urbandale, IA to Emmetsburg, IA is about 148.1 miles (238.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114 miles (183.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
148.11 mi
03h 23m
Flight
114.01 mi
183.48 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Urbandale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.01 mi
Kilometers
183.48 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.11 mi
Kilometers
238.36 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 03h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Emmetsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 4:12 AM CDT
Return by in Urbandale
Sat, Apr 18, 7:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Urbandale
2026-04-18T00:49
Arrive Emmetsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 4:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:14 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Urbandale
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Otho
IA

Human settlement in Webster County, Iowa, United States of America

From Urbandale
74.1 mi
01h 41m
To Emmetsburg
74.1 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph NW
Destination
47°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 24 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale and Emmetsburg.

  1. 1

    Start on Maryland Drive

    4 m · 3 sec · Maryland Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 70th Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Meredith Drive

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Meredith Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive

    1.2 km · 2 min · Northwest Urbandale Drive

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard

    1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Northwest 114th Street

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Northwest Granger Drive

    15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive

  9. 9

    Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel

    1910 ft · 55 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto N Avenue

    1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on H Avenue

    11.6 mi · 16 min · H Avenue

  12. 12

    Take the exit right

    1363 ft · 38 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto 220th Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · 220th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto D Avenue

    12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Paragon Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 360th Street

    4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Lainson Avenue

    12.3 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn left onto US 20 West

    1823 ft · 50 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    24.2 mi · 28 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 1 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street

  28. 28

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on 460th Avenue

    13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue

  30. 30

    Continue on Broadway Street

    1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Lawler Street

    101 m · 12 sec · Lawler Street

  33. 33

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    27 m · 4 sec · 8th Street

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
34 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
24.5 mi · 17%
220th Avenue
22.6 mi · 15%
Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 11%
460th Avenue
13 mi · 9%
Lainson Avenue
12.3 mi · 8%
D Avenue
12.1 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

24.2 mi · 00h 28m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.1 mi
114 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otho
01h 41m from Urbandale
Leave By
10:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Urbandale and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Urbandale to Emmetsburg?

The road trip is about 148.1 miles (238.4 km) and usually takes 03h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Otho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.1 miles from Urbandale and 74.1 miles from Emmetsburg.

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

The direct path is about 114 miles (183.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.72 one way or $39.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Urbandale and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Urbandale and Emmetsburg. Straight-line distance: 114.01 mi (183.48 km).

Urbandale

#1 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Emmetsburg

#2 Emmetsburg

City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States

Population3,667
Coordinates43.1127400, -94.6830400
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Urbandale (-93.71217, 41.62666)
End: Emmetsburg (-94.68304, 43.11274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.23 gal
19.78 L · about $19.72
Round trip
$39.44
10.46 gal · 39.56 L
Estimated CO2
46.5 kg one way
Round trip: 93 kg / 205 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.72 $39.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.24 $44.49
Premium $4.65 $24.34 $48.68
Diesel $5.30 $27.74 $55.48

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Urbandale and Emmetsburg. The current time is 00:49:56.

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.