Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
149.4 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
The drive from Urbandale, IA to Charles City, IA covers 149.4 miles and takes about 2h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 70th Street, Meredith Drive, Merle Hay Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.18 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.
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 25m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 51m drive with frequent turns across 149.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 70th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Meredith Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Merle Hay Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-35 north | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 18 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 218 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 185th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Charles City, IA.
Start on Maryland Drive
Turn right onto 70th Street
At the end of the road, turn right onto Meredith Drive
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
Take the ramp right toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Merge slight left
Continue straight
Continue straight
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
Turn left onto 185th Street
Turn straight onto Gilbert Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Turn right onto Clark Street
Turn left onto Brantingham Street
Arrive at your 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.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 25m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charles City, IA than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.7 mi from Urbandale, IA · 1h 25m 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.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$22.18 one way
$44.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $25.02 | $50.03 |
| premium | $4.65 | $27.37 | $54.75 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $31.20 | $62.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Urbandale on Saturday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Charles City on Saturday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Ames, IA
75 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from Urbandale, IA or browse trips ending in Charles City, IA.
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