Origin
Clear Lake, IA
Afternoon in Clear Lake on Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clear Lake, IA to Urbandale, IA
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
116.4 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Clear Lake, IA
Sean Ewing
Urbandale, IA
ZaetaFlow Sec
Trip Overview
The drive from Clear Lake, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 116.4 miles and takes about 2h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Avenue of the Saints, I 35, 70th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105.3 miles on Avenue of the Saints. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.68 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Clear Lake, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 10m drive with frequent turns across 116.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 105.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 1st Avenue North.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 35 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 35; US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Avenue North
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 35 Business
Take the ramp onto I 35 Business toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des...
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35; US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge onto I 35; US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
107.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
8
113.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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 Along This Route
Between Clear Lake, IA and Urbandale, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Davenport.
Council Bluffs
107.1 mi in
|
~1h 56m
|
via I 35
Davenport
107.1 mi in
|
~1h 56m
|
via I 35
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 105.3 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 35 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| 70th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 4th Avenue South | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Meredith Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Merle Hay Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 35 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North 8th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 105.3 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on North 6th Street
79 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 6th Street
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
186 ft
·
10 sec
·
1st Avenue North
3
Turn right onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
North 8th Street
4
Turn left onto I 35 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
5
Take the ramp onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
6
Merge onto I 35; US 18; IA 27
105 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Use the none lane.
8
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.
9
Turn left onto IA 28
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Merle Hay Road
10
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Meredith Drive
11
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
70th Street
12
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Maryland Drive
13
Arrive at destination
Maryland Drive
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.2 miles from Clear Lake, IA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.3 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
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 Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, IA
This is one driving day of about 116.4 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clear Lake, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 105.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.2 mi from Clear Lake, IA · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 58.2 miles from Clear Lake, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.3 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.68 one way
$35.36 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.49 | $38.98 |
| premium | $4.80 | $21.97 | $43.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.86 | $51.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.22 | $5.59 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Afternoon in Urbandale on Sunday
Local time
2:07 PM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 10m 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 Clear Lake, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 116.4 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, I 35, 70th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.2 miles from Clear Lake, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.68 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (I 35 Business): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 35; US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clear Lake, IA and Urbandale, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Davenport.
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