How far is Urbandale, IA from Pleasant Hill, IA?
The driving distance from Urbandale, IA to Pleasant Hill, IA is about 13.4 miles (21.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 10.4 miles (16.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The capital of Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Urbandale and Pleasant Hill.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale and Pleasant Hill.
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1
Start on Maryland Drive
4 m · 6 sec · Maryland Drive
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2
Turn left onto 70th Street
981 ft · 24 sec · 70th Street
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3
Keep slight left to continue on Urbandale Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Urbandale Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Merle Hay Road
2628 ft · 1 min · Merle Hay Road
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5
Continue on Merklin Way
1978 ft · 45 sec · Merklin Way
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6
Turn right onto 55th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · 55th Street
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7
Continue on 56th Street
2677 ft · 1 min · 56th Street
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8
Take the ramp left toward I-235 east
1656 ft · 40 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
5 mi · 7 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 163 East: East University Avenue, State Fairgrounds
2795 ft · 43 sec
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11
Turn straight onto East University Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · East University Avenue
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12
Turn right onto East 30th Street
1 km · 2 min · East 30th Street
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13
Turn left onto Dean Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · Dean Avenue
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14
Continue on Fairview Drive
2694 ft · 1 min · Fairview Drive
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15
Turn right onto North Pleasant Hill Boulevard
2253 ft · 1 min · North Pleasant Hill Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto Doanes Park Road
19 m · 5 sec · Doanes Park Road
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Doanes Park Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbandale and Pleasant Hill.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
4.99 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Urbandale and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Pleasant Hill.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Urbandale to Pleasant Hill?
The road trip is about 13.4 miles (21.6 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Des Moines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.7 miles from Urbandale and 6.7 miles from Pleasant Hill.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 10.4 miles (16.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.77 one way or $3.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Urbandale and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Pleasant Hill.
Stop Ideas Near Des Moines
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 Des Moines.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Urbandale and Pleasant Hill. Straight-line distance: 10.36 mi (16.68 km).
#1 Urbandale
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 44,650 |
| Coordinates | 41.6266600, -93.7121700 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Pleasant Hill
American city in Iowa
| Population | 10,025 |
| Coordinates | 41.5838800, -93.5199400 |
| Altitude | 267 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pleasant Hill (-93.51994, 41.58388)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 22 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.77 | $3.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.19 | $4.37 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.49 | $4.99 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.