How far is Urbandale, IA from Fort Madison, IA?
The driving distance from Urbandale, IA to Fort Madison, IA is about 185.2 miles (298 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Urbandale and Fort Madison.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale and Fort Madison.
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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
125.4 mi · 2 hr 25 min · East University Avenue
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16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
24.6 mi · 28 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
2195 ft · 59 sec
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18
Turn left onto State Highway 2
8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 2
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19
Continue on Avenue O
1.7 mi · 3 min · Avenue O
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20
Continue on Old Highway 61
1602 ft · 27 sec · Old Highway 61
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21
Continue on Avenue L
1.5 mi · 3 min · Avenue L
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22
Turn left onto 18th Street
1019 ft · 21 sec · 18th Street
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23
Turn right onto Avenue H
1.3 km · 1 min · Avenue H
-
24
Turn right onto Avenue I
42 m · 12 sec · Avenue I
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25
Turn left
19 m · 4 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbandale and Fort Madison.
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
125 mi · 02h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Urbandale and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Urbandale to Fort Madison?
The road trip is about 185.2 miles (298 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Ottumwa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Urbandale and 92.7 miles from Fort Madison.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.5 miles (229.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.62 one way or $49.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Urbandale and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Fort Madison.
Stop Ideas Near Ottumwa
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 Ottumwa.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Fort Madison station
La Plata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Urbandale and Fort Madison. Straight-line distance: 142.49 mi (229.32 km).
#1 Urbandale
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 44,650 |
| Coordinates | 41.6266600, -93.7121700 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Madison
City and county seat in Lee County, Iowa
| Population | 10,263 |
| Coordinates | 40.6297600, -91.3151500 |
| Altitude | 161 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Madison (-91.31515, 40.62976)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 298 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.62 | $49.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.77 | $55.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.64 | $69.27 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.