Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Urbandale, IA to New Hampton, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

168.1 mi

271 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

26 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 7m ★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Polk and Dallas counties, Iowa, United States

Urbandale, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Iowa, United States

New Hampton, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Urbandale, IA to New Hampton, IA covers 168.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, US 18, 200th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.4 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.28 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

84.1 miles from Urbandale, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 104.4 mi 1h 52m
US 18 32.9 mi 38m
200th Street 11 mi 15m
200th Avenue 5 mi 6m
I 80 4.6 mi 5m
Gilbert Street 2.5 mi 4m
70th Street 1.2 mi 2m
Meredith Drive 0.8 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 New Hampton, 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 35; I 80

0.7 mi · 50 sec · I 35; I 80
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 straight / slight right lanes.
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 · 23 sec · Brantingham Street
18

Continue on US 18

0.7 mi · 1 min · 4th Avenue
19

Continue on US 18

0.3 mi · 49 sec · 5th Avenue
20

Continue on US 18

5.0 mi · 6 min · 200th Avenue
21

Continue on US 18

11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
22

Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue
23

At end of road, turn left onto 210th Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · 210th Street
24

Continue on West Main Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
25

Turn right onto US 63 Business

52 ft · 1 sec · South Linn Avenue
26

Arrive at destination

US 63 Business

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.1 miles from Urbandale, IA, or about 1h 34m 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 37 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.1 miles or 1h 34m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Hampton, 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 168.1 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.

city located in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, IA

84 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.1 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 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Des Moines, Iowa

0.6 mi

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

1.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story City, Iowa

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.5 mi

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.6 mi

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15152528713

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 12

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+15152765496

Visit website

100th St. Corner Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+15153312343

Visit website

Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152071292

Visit website

Waveland Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15152794341

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 84.1

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 24

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 36

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 111.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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 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 straight / slight right lanes. 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.28 one way

$52.56 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.85 $57.71
premium $4.89 $32.35 $64.70
diesel $5.61 $37.11 $74.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Ames, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 14 Other: 5 EV Connect: 2 Tesla: 2 Blink: 2 Shell Recharge: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.4 0 $17.65 $8.07
Efficient EV 42 0 $14.71 $6.72
EV Truck/SUV 67.2 0 $23.53 $10.76

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Urbandale, IA

Afternoon in Urbandale on Saturday

Local time

3:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Hampton, IA

Afternoon in New Hampton on Saturday

Local time

3:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°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

17 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

3h 18m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 3h 18m highway drive covering 168.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 104.4 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near Meredith Drive.

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 3h 18m drive. You will face about 15 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Urbandale, IA and New Hampton, IA, road signs point toward Charles City and Cr B35: Charles City.

Charles City

111.7 mi in | ~2h 3m

Cr B35: Charles City

145.7 mi in | ~2h 43m | via US 218 Business

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 18m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Urbandale, IA to New Hampton, IA covers 168.1 miles and takes about 3h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, US 18, 200th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 84.1 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 $26.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 18m drive. You will face about 15 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.

Between Urbandale, IA and New Hampton, IA, road signs point toward Charles City and Cr B35: Charles City.

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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From New Hampton, IA

Indiana, IA 171 mi · 3h 10m Ankeny, IA 155.9 mi · 3h 4m Iowa City, IA 120.6 mi · 2h 29m Waterloo, IA 40.1 mi · 52m

More from Urbandale, IA

Burlington, IA 176.9 mi · 3h 30m Osage, IA 150.7 mi · 2h 56m Carter Lake, IA 134.2 mi · 2h 34m Council Bluffs, IA 124.6 mi · 2h 21m Cedar Rapids, IA 124 mi · 2h 31m Clear Lake, IA 116.6 mi · 2h 10m

More trips to New Hampton, IA

Dubuque, IA 129.7 mi
Escape planner: Urbandale, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Urbandale, IA or browse trips ending in New Hampton, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.