Origin
Urbandale, IA
Afternoon in Urbandale on Sunday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Urbandale, IA to Clear Lake, IA
Drive Time
2h 10m
Distance
116.6 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Urbandale, IA
ZaetaFlow Sec
Clear Lake, IA
Sean Ewing
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Urbandale to Clear Lake, this 116.6-mile trip is an easy one-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 10 minutes on the road, making it a very manageable drive for a weekend outing. With a fuel budget of approximately $18, it is a cost-effective way to transition from the Des Moines metro area into Northern Iowa. Since the entire route stays within the Midwest, you will find the travel transition smooth and familiar. Given the short duration, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that gets you to 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Urbandale, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, interstate-heavy experience as you navigate this 116.6-mile path. Roughly 96% of your travel takes place on highways, primarily utilizing I-35 and I-80 to move you quickly toward your destination. You will spend the vast majority of your time—specifically 107.4 miles—on a single uninterrupted stretch of I-35. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the pace remains consistent and fast-moving. Aside from the final approach using 4th Avenue South, you can prepare for a predictable, high-speed transit that prioritizes arrival time over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 107.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near Meredith Drive.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 10m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 11 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
114.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
I 35 Business
Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Urbandale, IA to Clear Lake, 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 | 107.4 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 80 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| 4th Avenue South | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 70th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Meredith Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Merle Hay Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 8th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I 35 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 107.4 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Clear Lake, 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
107 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
11
Turn left onto I 35 Business
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue South
12
Turn right onto I 35 Business
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
South 8th Street
13
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
186 ft
·
13 sec
·
1st Avenue North
14
Turn left onto North 6th Street
79 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 6th Street
15
Arrive at destination
North 6th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave Urbandale outside of peak morning or evening traffic to ensure your 2-hour and 10-minute estimate stays accurate. Because the route is dominated by a long 107.4-mile stint on I-35, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you hit the interstate to avoid unnecessary stops. Keep in mind that there are no mandatory stops scheduled, so you can easily power through the entire 116.6 miles in one go. If you do need a break, plan to stretch your legs as you transition from the interstate onto 4th Avenue South to navigate the final leg of your journey.
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 58.3 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.4 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 58.3 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear 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 116.6 miles and 2h 10m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 107.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.3 mi from Urbandale, IA · 1h 6m 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.3 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 107.4 miles.
Arriving in Clear Lake, IA
The final approach into Clear 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 Clear 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
$17.71 one way
$35.42 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.52 | $39.05 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.01 | $44.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.90 | $51.81 |
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: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Clear Lake, IA
Afternoon in Clear Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 10m 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 Clear Lake, IA covers 116.6 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 80, 4th Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.3 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 $17.71 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 10m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 Clear Lake, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Clear Lake, IA
More trips to Clear Lake, IA
Explore more options from Urbandale, IA or browse trips ending in Clear Lake, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Urbandale, IA or Clear Lake, IA on MapSof.net.