Origin
Urbana, IA
Afternoon in Urbana on Friday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
122.7 mi
197 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Urbana, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 122.7 miles and takes about 2h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ash Avenue, 55th Street, the route for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.18 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
61.3 miles from Urbana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 122.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 6m drive with frequent turns across 122.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ash Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 6m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ash Avenue | — | — |
| 55th Street | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| West 2nd Street | — | — |
| C Avenue | — | — |
| Highway 150 | — | — |
| 70th Street | — | — |
| Highway 199 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Ash Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbana, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on West Wood Street
427 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Wood Street
2
Turn right onto Ash Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Ash Avenue
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 55th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
55th Street
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
161 ft
·
3 sec
·
the route
5
Exit the roundabout
10 mi
·
14 min
6
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West 2nd Street
7
Turn left onto C Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
C Avenue
8
Continue on State Highway 150
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
State Highway 150
9
Continue straight
9.8 mi
·
14 min
10
Turn right onto 70th Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
70th Street
11
Continue on State Highway 199
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 199
12
Continue on 1st Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
1st Avenue
13
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
1st Street
14
Continue on 21st Avenue
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
21st Avenue
15
Turn right onto 73rd Street
11 mi
·
13 min
·
73rd Street
16
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
18
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
19
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast Hubbell Avenue
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
21
Take the exit slight left toward I 235 West: Des Moines
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 235 West: Des Moines
22
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
23
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
24
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
25
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
26
Turn left onto East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
27
Arrive at your destination
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 61.3 miles from Urbana, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
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 27 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.3 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Urbana, 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 Urbana, IA
This is one driving day of about 122.7 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Urbana, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.3 mi from Urbana, IA · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.3 miles from Urbana, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
The final approach into Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, 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
$19.18 one way
$38.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.06 | $42.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.61 | $47.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.8 | 0 | $12.88 | $5.89 |
| Efficient EV | 30.7 | 0 | $10.74 | $4.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Friday
Local time
12:05 PM
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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 6m 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 Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 122.7 miles and takes about 2h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ash Avenue, 55th Street, the route. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.3 miles from Urbana, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.18 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.
The drive from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 2h 6m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Urbana, IA to Des Moines, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Des Moines, IA
More trips to Des Moines, IA
Explore more options from Urbana, IA or browse trips ending in Des Moines, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.