Trip from Urbandale, IA to Carter Lake, IA

Drive Time

2h 34m

Distance

134.2 mi

216 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Urbandale, IA

ZaetaFlow Sec

Carter Lake, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Urbandale to Carter Lake is a straightforward 134.2-mile journey across the Iowa landscape. Expect a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, as 96% of the route consists of highway driving. With fuel costs estimated at around $20, it is a budget-friendly transit between these two Midwest locations. Because the duration is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule requires it. This route is designed for efficiency, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss.

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

67.1 miles from Urbandale, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a quintessential highway-focused drive dominated by I-80, the John MacVicar Freeway, and I-80 Local. You will spend the bulk of your time behind the wheel on a single, long stretch of 118.5 miles on I-80, which defines the rhythm of the trip. Because the road is almost entirely interstate, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than a winding or technical experience. While the drive is efficient and fast, the repetitive nature of highway travel means you will want to stay alert. The transition between these roads is seamless, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the duration of the 2-hour and 34-minute drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and John MacVicar Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 70th Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 134.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (70th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 101 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | 70th Street

Turn left onto 70th Street

Navigation decision point

2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

101 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...

124.7 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 80 Local; US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6 toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4B Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Blu...

131.2 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Take the exit toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3 Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creigh...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Urbandale, IA to Carter Lake, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

Omaha Nebraska

101 mi in | ~1h 51m | via I 80

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	118.5 mi	2h 7m
John MacVicar Freeway	3.3 mi	4m
I 80 Local	2.9 mi	3m
I 29	2 mi	2m
US 6	1.7 mi	2m
73rd Street	1.6 mi	2m
North 11th Street	1.1 mi	2m
East Locust Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 118.5 mi, about 2h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Carter Lake, IA.

Start on Maryland Drive

13 ft · 5 sec · Maryland Drive

Turn left onto 70th Street

348 ft · 9 sec · 70th Street

Turn right onto Roseland Drive

0.2 mi · 1 min · Roseland Drive

Turn left onto 72nd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 72nd Street

Turn straight onto 73rd Street

1.6 mi · 2 min · 73rd Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward I-235 west

Merge onto I 235

3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway

Use the none lane.

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

24 mi · 25 min · I 80

Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 80 Local; US 6

Exit 4B Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 29; US 6

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 29; US 6

Toward I 29 North: Sioux City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 6

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 6

Toward I 480 West, US 6 West

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 3 Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

Turn right onto North 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 14th Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Izard Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Izard Street

Continue on North 11th Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · North 11th Street

Turn right onto East Locust Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Locust Street

Turn left onto North 9th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 9th Street

Arrive at destination

North 9th Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during the journey to break up the 118.5-mile stretch on I-80 and keep your focus sharp. Given that 96% of the route is highway, check local traffic reports before you leave Urbandale to ensure smooth sailing on the John MacVicar Freeway. Budgeting $20 for fuel should cover you easily, but it is always wise to keep an eye on your gauge before hitting the interstate sections. If you find yourself needing a break, look for services near the midpoint to maximize your efficiency and arrive in Carter Lake refreshed.

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 67.1 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.5 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.1 miles or 1h 15m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carter Lake, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, IA

This is one driving day of about 134.2 miles and 2h 34m.

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

The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 118.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.1 mi from Urbandale, IA · 1h 15m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Denison, IA

67 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

Denison, IA

Fuel and coffee

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

Denison, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.1 miles from Urbandale, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.5 miles.

Arriving in Carter Lake, IA

The final approach into Carter Lake, 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 Carter Lake, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.38 one way

$40.77 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$22.47	$44.94
premium	$4.80	$25.33	$50.67
diesel	$5.64	$29.81	$59.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	40.3	$14.09	$6.44
Efficient EV	33.6	$11.74	$5.37
EV Truck/SUV	53.7	$18.79	$8.59

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Urbandale, IA

Afternoon in Urbandale on Sunday

Local time

2:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carter Lake, IA

Afternoon in Carter Lake on Sunday

Local time

2:19 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

47°F

Denison, IA

67 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 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 34m 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 Urbandale, IA to Carter Lake, IA covers 134.2 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 80, John MacVicar Freeway, I 80 Local. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 67.1 miles from Urbandale, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.38 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.

On the drive from Urbandale, IA to Carter Lake, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

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