How far is Urbandale, IA from Rock Valley, IA?

The driving distance from Urbandale, IA to Rock Valley, IA is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 171 miles (275.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m 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
250.66 mi
04h 52m
Flight
171.03 mi
275.24 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
171.03 mi
Kilometers
275.24 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
250.66 mi
Kilometers
403.4 km
Drive Time
04h 52m

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 04h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rock Valley
Thu, Apr 30, 5:01 PM CDT
Return by in Urbandale
Thu, Apr 30, 9:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Urbandale
2026-04-30T12:09
Arrive Rock Valley
Thu, Apr 30, 5:01 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:16 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
Modale
IA

City in Harrison County, Iowa, United States

From Urbandale
125.2 mi
02h 26m
To Rock Valley
125.5 mi
02h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NNW
Destination
54°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale and Rock Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on Maryland Drive

    4 m · 6 sec · Maryland Drive

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 70th Street

    106 m · 10 sec · 70th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Roseland Drive

    1302 ft · 1 min · Roseland Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 72nd Street

    3073 ft · 1 min · 72nd Street

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto 73rd Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 73rd Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-235 west

    1744 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North: Sioux City

    2271 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    72.2 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East, US 75 North: Fort Dodge, Le Mars

    1.2 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    21.4 mi · 26 min

  14. 14

    Turn slight left

    1782 ft · 49 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on 3rd Street

    1091 ft · 45 sec · 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Main Street

    692 ft · 26 sec · Main Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 5th Street

    1787 ft · 1 min · 5th Street

  18. 18

    Continue on County Road K42

    1.7 mi · 3 min · County Road K42

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road C38

    1 mi · 1 min · County Road C38

  20. 20

    Turn right onto County Road K42

    10 mi · 14 min · County Road K42

  21. 21

    Turn left onto 110th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 110th Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto County Road K30

    1371 ft · 33 sec · County Road K30

  23. 23

    Continue on Impala Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Impala Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on Eagle Avenue

    4 mi · 5 min · Eagle Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on Maple Avenue

    2820 ft · 1 min · Maple Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on Eagle Avenue

    7.5 mi · 11 min · Eagle Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 390th Street

    1 mi · 1 min · 390th Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Elmwood Avenue

    7.8 mi · 11 min · Elmwood Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on 16th Avenue

    3127 ft · 2 min · 16th Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn left onto 15th Street

    9 m · 1 sec · 15th Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 15th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
4 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
John MacVicar Freeway
98.2 mi · 39%
I 29 North
72.6 mi · 29%
US 20 East
22.2 mi · 9%
I 880 West
16.7 mi · 7%
County Road K42
11.7 mi · 5%
Eagle Avenue
11.5 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

John MacVicar Freeway

Merge slight right

94.8 mi · 01h 42m

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
04h 52m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+79.7 mi
171 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Modale
02h 26m from Urbandale
Leave By
7:16 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Urbandale and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Urbandale to Rock Valley?

The road trip is about 250.7 miles (403.4 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?

Modale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.2 miles from Urbandale and 125.5 miles from Rock Valley.

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

The direct path is about 171 miles (275.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 79.7 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 7:16 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.34 one way or $66.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Urbandale and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Rock Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Modale

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

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

RAIL

Omaha

42 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Lincoln

107 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Urbandale and Rock Valley. Straight-line distance: 171.03 mi (275.24 km).

Urbandale

#1 Urbandale

A city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population44,650
Coordinates41.6266600, -93.7121700
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Rock Valley

#2 Rock Valley

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,901
Coordinates43.2052600, -96.2950300
Altitude381
CountryUnited States
Start: Urbandale (-93.71217, 41.62666)
End: Rock Valley (-96.29503, 43.20526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 403 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.84 gal
33.48 L · about $33.34
Round trip
$66.67
17.68 gal · 66.96 L
Estimated CO2
78.6 kg one way
Round trip: 157.1 kg / 346 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.34 $66.67
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.60 $75.19
Premium $4.65 $41.14 $82.28
Diesel $5.30 $46.89 $93.77

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Urbandale and Rock Valley. The current time is 12:09:32.

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.