Trip from Eldridge, IA to Urbandale, IA

Drive Time

2h 37m

Distance

171.4 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Eldridge, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 171.4 miles and takes about 2h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Donahue Street, North 1st Street, East Leclaire Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.45 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

85.7 miles from Eldridge, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 37m drive with frequent turns across 171.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Donahue Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Donahue Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
North 1st Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
East Leclaire Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
IA 28 South	Unavailable	Refreshing
Merle Hay Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
Meredith Drive	Unavailable	Refreshing
70th Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
Maryland Drive	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Donahue Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on North 2nd Street

2

Turn right onto Donahue Street

3

Turn right onto North 1st Street

4

Turn left onto East Leclaire Road

5

Take the ramp slight right

6

Merge slight left

7

Take the exit slight right

8

Continue straight

9

Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake

10

Turn left onto Merle Hay Road

11

Turn right onto Meredith Drive

12

Turn left onto 70th Street

13

Turn left onto Maryland Drive

14

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 85.7 miles from Eldridge, IA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

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 85.7 miles or 1h 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 8m

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 Eldridge, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Eldridge, IA

This is one driving day of about 171.4 miles and 2h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Eldridge, 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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Cedar Rapids, IA

86 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.7 mi from Eldridge, IA

Iowa City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Eldridge, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.77	$25.45	$50.89
midgrade	$4.25	$28.70	$57.40
premium	$4.65	$31.41	$62.81
diesel	$5.30	$35.79	$71.58

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Eldridge, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 171.4 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Donahue Street, North 1st Street, East Leclaire Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.7 miles from Eldridge, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.45 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

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