Drive Time
1h 47m
Distance
116.6 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
The drive from Clear Lake, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 116.6 miles and takes about 1h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 1st Avenue North, North 8th Street, 4th Avenue South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.31 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
58.3 miles from Clear Lake, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 47m drive with frequent turns across 116.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 8th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 south | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Avenue of the Saints | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IA 28 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Merle Hay Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake, IA and Urbandale, IA.
Start on North 6th Street
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
Turn right onto North 8th Street
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
Take the ramp right toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
Turn left onto 70th Street
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 53m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Urbandale, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 116.6 miles and 1h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.3 mi from Clear Lake, IA · 53m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Clear Lake, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$17.31 one way
$34.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.52 | $39.05 |
| premium | $4.65 | $21.36 | $42.73 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $24.35 | $48.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Clear Lake on Saturday
Local time
8:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Urbandale on Saturday
Local time
8:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Ames, IA
58 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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