Origin
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Moines, IA to Urbandale, IA
Drive Time
14m
Distance
8.8 mi
14 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 15m
8 AM
0h 17m
10 AM
0h 16m
12 PM
0h 15m
3 PM
0h 16m
5 PM
0h 17m
8 PM
0h 14m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Urbandale, IA
ZaetaFlow Sec
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit within the Midwest, the 8.8-mile trip from Des Moines to Urbandale is as efficient as it gets. Expect to spend only 14 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight planning. With a budget of just $1 for fuel, this commute is exceptionally economical for travelers moving between these two Iowa cities. Because the duration is so brief, you have total flexibility in your departure time. Whether you are running errands or heading to a meeting, this route offers a practical, no-fuss connection that gets you to your destination in under a quarter of an hour.
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
4.4 miles from Des Moines, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This short journey offers a mixed driving experience, balancing high-speed transit with local navigation. You will spend about 60% of your time on the highway, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 5.3 miles on the John MacVicar Freeway. Once you exit the freeway, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto 73rd Street and 72nd Street to reach your final destination. This combination of major arteries and local streets keeps the drive moving steadily without feeling like a monotonous grind. You can expect a predictable pace that transitions smoothly from highway speeds to local traffic flow.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John MacVicar Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East University Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Avenue
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I-235 west
Navigation decision point
Toward I-235 west
8
6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward 73rd Street, 8th Street, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward 73rd Street, 8th Street, Windsor Heights...
6
6.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
73rd Street
Turn left onto 73rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Urbandale, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor Heights along the way.
Windsor Heights
6 mi in
|
~8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John MacVicar Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| 73rd Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 72nd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Roseland Drive | 0.2 mi | 1m |
| East University Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 6th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 70th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
John MacVicar Freeway
— 5.3 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on East University Avenue
481 ft
·
39 sec
·
East University Avenue
2
Turn uturn onto East University Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East University Avenue
3
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
4
Continue on East 6th Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
East 6th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I-235 west
6
Merge onto I 235
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 3
Toward 73rd Street, 8th Street, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto 73rd Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
73rd Street
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on 72nd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
72nd Street
10
Turn right onto Roseland Drive
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Roseland Drive
11
Turn left onto 70th Street
348 ft
·
10 sec
·
70th Street
12
Turn right onto Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Maryland Drive
13
Arrive at destination
Maryland Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 8.8-mile sprint, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or scheduled rest stops. You can easily complete the entire drive in one go, as no stops are required to reach Urbandale from Des Moines. To ensure the smoothest experience, check local traffic reports before hopping on the John MacVicar Freeway, as highway conditions can shift quickly during peak hours. Keep your fuel budget at a manageable $1 by ensuring your tank is ready for the short haul before you depart. Leverage the brevity of this 14-minute trip to enjoy the freedom of leaving whenever it best suits your personal schedule.
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 4.4 miles from Des Moines, IA, or about 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.3 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 8.8 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.4 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
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 Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA
This is one driving day of about 8.8 miles and 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Des Moines, 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 John MacVicar Freeway for about 5.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.4 mi from Des Moines, IA · 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.4 miles from Des Moines, 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
$1.34 one way
$2.67 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $1.47 | $2.95 |
| premium | $4.80 | $1.66 | $3.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.96 | $3.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.92 | $0.42 |
| Efficient EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.77 | $0.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% 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
3:30 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
14m 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 Des Moines, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 8.8 miles and takes about 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John MacVicar Freeway, 73rd Street, 72nd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.4 miles from Des Moines, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.34 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East University Avenue): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (Pennsylvania Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Des Moines, IA to Urbandale, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Windsor Heights along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Urbandale, IA
More trips to Urbandale, IA
Explore more options from Des Moines, IA or browse trips ending in Urbandale, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Des Moines, IA or Urbandale, IA on MapSof.net.