Road Trips from Adel, IA
Adel sets you up for a few different kinds of escapes. You've got several quick, under-an-hour drives to nearby towns that offer a decent drive score, perfect for a few hours out. If you're looking to stretch your legs a bit more, there are options around the 2-hour mark, mostly highway-focused. For a longer haul, you can get over 4 hours away to places like Dubuque. Most of these routes have parks nearby, giving you options for some outdoor time.
Total Routes
9
Shortest
0.4h
With Parks Nearby
7
Under 2 hours
Ankeny, IA
43m29.5 mi one way
This is one of your closest options, just under an hour. It's a mixed drive, not too taxing, and has parks nearby if you want to stop. It's a bit shorter than the drive to Ames but offers a different driving profile.
Ames, IA
1h 8m54.5 mi one way
A solid 1.1-hour drive, this route is primarily highway-focused, making for a straightforward trip. Like many routes from Adel, it includes access to parks. It’s longer than the trips to Ankeny or West Des Moines, offering more time on the road.
West Des Moines, IA
28m18.9 mi one way
This is your quickest option at just 18.9 miles and 0.5 hours. It's classified as a turn-heavy local drive, so expect more frequent turns. It has parks nearby, and it's closer than the drive to Ankeny.
Urbandale, IA
26m16.6 mi one way
At 16.6 miles and 0.4 hours, this is the shortest route from Adel. It's characterized by mostly flat terrain and a turn-heavy local drive profile. Parks are accessible on this route, making it a very convenient short trip.
Full-day getaway
Cedar Rapids, IA
2h 51m140.5 mi one way
This route takes you about 2.9 hours and is a turn-heavy local drive. It's one of the longer options, offering a substantial drive and access to parks. It's a good choice if you want a longer day trip without focusing solely on highways.
Council Bluffs, IA
2h 5m111.1 mi one way
This is a longer drive at 2.1 hours, primarily highway-focused. It offers a good drive score and has parks nearby for potential stops. It's a bit longer than the trip to Cedar Rapids but uses more highway.
Bettendorf, IA
3h 34m190.4 mi one way
This is one of the longest drives, at 3.6 hours, and is highway-focused. It has a good drive score but notably lacks parks directly on the route. This is a longer haul compared to the 2-hour drives.
Mason City, IA
2h 42m139.5 mi one way
Clocking in at 2.7 hours, this is a highway-focused drive. It has a high drive score but, like Bettendorf, does not have parks directly along the route. This is a solid mid-range option for a highway excursion.
Weekend trip
Browse by Mood
When to Go
Spring
With parks accessible on most routes, spring offers opportunities for scenic drives and stops. The mostly flat terrain on some routes makes for easy exploration.
Summer
The highway-focused routes provide efficient travel to various destinations, with parks offering places to stop and enjoy the warmer weather.
Fall
Several routes feature parks, ideal for experiencing fall colors. The variety of drive profiles means you can choose a more relaxed or a more direct journey.
Winter
The predominantly highway-focused options from Adel allow for quicker travel, even in winter, with parks providing potential brief stops if conditions permit.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Adel, IA city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.