Origin
Red Oak, IA
Morning in Red Oak on Saturday
Local time
9:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Red Oak, IA to Urbandale, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
115.2 mi
185 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Oak, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Urbandale, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Red Oak, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 115.2 miles and takes about 2h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 6, North Broadway Street, 550th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62 miles on US 6. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.01 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.
Midpoint
57.6 miles from Red Oak, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 115.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The drive from Red Oak, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 115.2 miles and takes about 2h 29m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near IA 48 / North Broadway Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 29m 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: at 0.4 miles (IA 48 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.6 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IA 48 / North Broadway Street
Turn right onto IA 48 / North Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
8
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
111.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward 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 Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
7
112.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
73rd Street
Turn sharp left onto 73rd Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
115.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
Maryland Drive
Turn right onto Maryland Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 6 | 62 mi | 1h 7m |
| North Broadway Street | 14 mi | 20m |
| 550th Street | 10 mi | 14m |
| White Pole Road | 9 mi | 13m |
| 650th Street | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| East 7th Street | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| 73rd Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 62 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Oak, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on East Reed Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Reed Street
2
Turn right onto IA 48
14 mi
·
20 min
·
North Broadway Street
3
Continue on IA 48
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
M Avenue
4
Continue on IA 48
4.8 mi
·
7 min
·
550th Street
5
Continue on IA 48
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Adair Street
6
Continue on IA 48
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
550th Street
7
Turn right onto US 6
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
White Pole Road
8
Continue on US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 7th Street
9
Continue on US 6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West 7th Street
10
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
White Pole Road
11
Continue on US 6; IA 83
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
12
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
650th Street
13
Take the exit onto US 6
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 6
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 235
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123A
Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 3
Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn sharp left onto 73rd Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
73rd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on 72nd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
72nd Street
18
Turn right onto Roseland Drive
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Roseland Drive
19
Turn left onto 70th Street
348 ft
·
10 sec
·
70th Street
20
Turn right onto Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Maryland Drive
21
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 57.6 miles from Red Oak, IA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 25 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 3m
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 Red Oak, 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 Red Oak, IA
This is one driving day of about 115.2 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Red Oak, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 6 for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.6 mi from Red Oak, IA · 1h 23m 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.6 miles from Red Oak, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.01 one way
$36.02 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $19.77 | $39.55 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.17 | $44.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.43 | $50.87 |
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: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
| Efficient EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.08 | $4.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.37 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Morning in Urbandale on Saturday
Local time
9:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 29m 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 Red Oak, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 115.2 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 6, North Broadway Street, 550th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.6 miles from Red Oak, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.01 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 29m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (IA 48 / North Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.6 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Red Oak, IA to Urbandale, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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