Origin
Urbandale, IA
Afternoon in Urbandale on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Urbandale, IA to Charles City, IA
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
149.4 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Urbandale, IA
ZaetaFlow Sec
Charles City, IA
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Traveling from Urbandale to Charles City covers 149.4 miles of quintessential Midwest terrain entirely within Iowa. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 51 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of approximately $23, it is an affordable trip that requires only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless your schedule in Charles City demands an extended stay. This route is ideal for travelers looking for a reliable, no-nonsense transit through the heart of the state.
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
74.7 miles from Urbandale, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-35 and I-80 before transitioning to US-18, creating a consistent rhythm for your journey. The longest stretch you will face is a 104.4-mile segment on I-35, which allows for steady cruising and predictable travel times. While the road is efficient, be prepared for the steady pace of interstate travel that dominates the majority of the drive. As you transition off the interstates onto US-18, the character of the road shifts slightly, marking the final leg of your 149.4-mile trek.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 104.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 18. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near Meredith Drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (Meredith Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Meredith Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Meredith Drive
Navigation decision point
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 80; I 35
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, De...
5
111.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Urbandale, IA to Charles City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
8.1 mi in
|
~12m
|
via I 35
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 104.4 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 18 | 32.9 mi | 38m |
| I 80 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Gilbert Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| 70th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Meredith Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Merle Hay Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 185th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Charles City, IA.
1
Start on Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
2 sec
·
Maryland Drive
2
Turn right onto 70th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
70th Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Meredith Drive
4
Turn left onto IA 28
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Merle Hay Road
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I-35 north, I-80 east
6
Merge onto I 80; I 35
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 80; I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35; I 80
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 35; I 80
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 80; I 35
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 80; I 35
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
104 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
11
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
33 mi
·
38 min
·
US 18; IA 27
12
Take the exit onto US 218 Business
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 218 Business
Toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
13
Turn left onto US 218 Business
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
185th Street
14
Turn straight onto US 218 Business
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Gilbert Street
15
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Street
16
Turn right onto Clark Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Clark Street
17
Turn left onto US 18
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Brantingham Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 18
Trip Plan
Planning your departure for the morning hours is your best bet to ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival in Charles City. Since the entire drive clocks in under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your start time based on your personal preferences. Aim to utilize your single planned stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs and refuel, helping you stay alert during the 104.4-mile stretch on I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as current estimates suggest a $23 budget should cover your needs. Because this is a relatively short drive, use that extra time to enjoy the journey rather than rushing to your final 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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.7 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 74.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charles City, 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 149.4 miles and 2h 51m.
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 35 for about 104.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.7 mi from Urbandale, IA · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.7 miles from Urbandale, 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 104.4 miles.
Arriving in Charles City, IA
The final approach into Charles City, 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 Charles City, 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
$22.69 one way
$45.38 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.02 | $50.03 |
| premium | $4.80 | $28.20 | $56.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.19 | $66.38 |
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: 52.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.69 | $7.17 |
| Efficient EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.07 | $5.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.92 | $9.56 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Charles City, IA
Afternoon in Charles City on Sunday
Local time
2:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
2 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 51m 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 Charles City, IA covers 149.4 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 18, I 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.7 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 $22.69 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (Meredith Drive): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles (I 80; I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Urbandale, IA to Charles City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
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