Origin
Asbury, IA
Late night in Asbury on Wednesday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Asbury, IA to Urbandale, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
193.3 mi
311 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 45m
★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Asbury, IA
Tom Fisk
Urbandale, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Asbury, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 193.3 miles and takes about 3h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 151, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.8 miles on US 151. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.7 miles from Asbury, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Asbury, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 193.3 miles and takes about 3h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 151 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,095 ft
834 ft
Total Climb
533 ft
Total Descent
523 ft
Highest Point
1,095 ft
~13.8 mi in
Elevation Range
261 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 58m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward CR Y21: Peosta, Northeast Iowa Community College
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 308
Toward CR Y21: Peosta, Northeast Iowa Community...
5
80.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
145.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
7
179.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
8
190.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Asbury, IA and Urbandale, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
80.3 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Des Moines
145.1 mi in
|
~2h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 151 | 46.8 mi | 54m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 33.7 mi | 39m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| IA 100 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| US 65 | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| Sundown Road | 8.3 mi | 14m |
| Dodge Street | 7.2 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 46.8 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Asbury, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on Asbury Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Asbury Road
2
Turn right onto Northwest Arterial
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest Arterial
3
Turn right onto US 20
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Dodge Street
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 308
Toward CR Y21: Peosta, Northeast Iowa Community College
5
Turn left onto CR Y21
8.3 mi
·
14 min
·
Sundown Road
6
Turn right onto US 151
46 mi
·
52 min
·
US 151
7
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
8
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi
·
18 min
·
IA 100
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
10
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
11
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
12
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
14
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
15
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
16
Take the exit onto US 65
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 131
Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto IA 28
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Merle Hay Road
19
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Meredith Drive
20
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
70th Street
21
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Maryland Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Maryland Drive
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.7 miles from Asbury, IA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.7 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Urbandale, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Asbury, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Asbury, IA
This is one driving day of about 193.3 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Asbury, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 151 for about 46.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.7 mi from Asbury, IA · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.7 miles from Asbury, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Urbandale, IA
The final approach into Urbandale, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Urbandale, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.22 one way
$60.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.18 | $66.36 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.20 | $74.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.68 | $85.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58 | 0 | $20.30 | $9.28 |
| Efficient EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.91 | $7.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Urbandale, IA
Late night in Urbandale on Wednesday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Asbury, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 193.3 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 151, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 96.7 miles from Asbury, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 58m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 145.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Asbury, IA and Urbandale, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 834 ft to 1,095 ft elevation with about 533 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Urbandale, IA
More from Asbury, IA
More trips to Urbandale, IA
Explore more options from Asbury, IA or browse trips ending in Urbandale, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Asbury, IA or Urbandale, IA on MapSof.net.