How far is Urbandale, IA from Fairfield, IA?
The driving distance from Urbandale, IA to Fairfield, IA is about 121.9 miles (196.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100.4 miles (161.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Urbandale and Fairfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale and Fairfield.
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1
Start on Maryland Drive
4 m · 3 sec · Maryland Drive
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2
Turn right onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Meredith Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Meredith Drive
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4
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
2756 ft · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
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5
Take the ramp right toward I-35 north, I-80 east
1663 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left
4 mi · 5 min
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7
Continue straight
1.2 km · 51 sec
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8
Continue straight
3105 ft · 41 sec
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9
Keep slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
2194 ft · 55 sec
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13
Turn left onto East University Avenue
3.3 mi · 4 min · East University Avenue
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14
Continue on Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · Northeast University Avenue
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15
Continue on East University Avenue
96.9 mi · 1 hr 52 min · East University Avenue
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 34 Business: Convention Center
1956 ft · 53 sec
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17
Turn left onto Old US 34
1.1 mi · 2 min · Old US 34
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18
Continue on West Burlington Avenue
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Burlington Avenue
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19
Turn left onto North 2nd Street
717 ft · 16 sec · North 2nd Street
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20
Turn right onto West Briggs Avenue
662 ft · 29 sec · West Briggs Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Briggs Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbandale and Fairfield.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
East University Avenue
Continue on East University Avenue
96.9 mi · 01h 52m
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 Urbandale and Sunny near Fairfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Urbandale to Fairfield?
The road trip is about 121.9 miles (196.2 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Leighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.9 miles from Urbandale and 61 miles from Fairfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100.4 miles (161.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 1:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.22 one way or $32.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Urbandale and Sunny near Fairfield.
Stop Ideas Near Leighton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
1882 City Hall and Fire Station
Pella City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Leighton.
Ottumwa station
Osceola
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Urbandale and Fairfield. Straight-line distance: 100.33 mi (161.46 km).
#1 Urbandale
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 44,650 |
| Coordinates | 41.6266600, -93.7121700 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fairfield
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 10,500 |
| Coordinates | 41.0086300, -91.9626700 |
| Altitude | 236 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fairfield (-91.96267, 41.00863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 196 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 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 | $16.22 | $32.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.01 | $40.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.81 | $45.61 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.