Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
151.2 mi
243 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Photo: ZaetaFlow Sec
The drive from Osage, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 151.2 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, Avenue of the Saints, Lancer Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.97 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
75.6 miles from Osage, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
This is a 2h 56m highway drive covering 151.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and Avenue of the Saints. The longest continuous stretch is about 109 miles on I 35.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 10.9 miles in near US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 56m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.9 miles (US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Navigation decision point; at 37.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 39.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 18; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Between Osage, IA and Urbandale, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs and Davenport.
Council Bluffs
Davenport
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109 mi | 1h 58m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 27 mi | 31m |
| Lancer Avenue | 9.9 mi | 17m |
| 70th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South 7th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Meredith Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Merle Hay Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Osage, IA and Urbandale, IA.
Start on US 218; IA 9
Turn left onto South 7th Street
Continue on Lancer Avenue
Turn right onto US 18; IA 27
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Turn left onto IA 28
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
Turn left onto 70th Street
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
Arrive at 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 31m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Urbandale, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Osage, 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 Osage, IA
This is one driving day of about 151.2 miles and 2h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.6 mi from Osage, IA · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 75.6 miles from Osage, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$22.97 one way
$45.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.32 | $50.63 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.54 | $57.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.59 | $67.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.23 | $6.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Osage on Sunday
Local time
9:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Urbandale on Sunday
Local time
9:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Ames, IA
76 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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
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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