If you are planning a trip from Anamosa to Urbandale, you are looking at a 148.8-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You should budget about $23 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads like South Elm Street, Cemetery Road, and County Road E34. Because this path avoids major interstates entirely, it offers a distinct alternative to the typical highway travel experience across Iowa. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this straightforward route keeps your planning simple and your travel time predictable.
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
72.6 miles from Anamosa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi
39m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
IA 100
15.2 mi
18m
US 151
12.3 mi
14m
US 65
10.6 mi
12m
County Road E34
3.2 mi
5m
16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anamosa, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on CR E28
0.4 mi·44 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR E34
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
41 ft·1 sec·Cemetery Road
4
Turn right onto CR E34
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Elm Street
5
Continue on CR E34
3.2 mi·5 min·County Road E34
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto US 151
11 mi·12 min·US 151
8
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
9
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi·18 min·IA 100
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
13
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15
Turn left onto IA 330
34 mi·39 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
16
Continue on US 65; IA 330
0.7 mi·58 sec·Northeast Hubbell Avenue
17
Take the exit onto US 65
11 mi·12 min·US 65
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 131Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville LakeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto IA 28
0.6 mi·1 min·Merle Hay Road
20
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Meredith Drive
21
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi·2 min·70th Street
22
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
13 ft·0 sec·Maryland Drive
23
Arrive at destination
Maryland Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 30 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your own schedule. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that as an opportunity to stretch your legs and check your fuel levels mid-trip. Keep in mind that because you are traveling on local roads rather than a highway, your average speed will remain lower, so account for those extra turns when calculating your arrival time. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the turns on South Elm Street and County Road E34 before you leave, as the lack of highway signage makes navigation slightly more involved. Staying alert during these transitions will ensure a smooth and stress-free arrival in Urbandale.
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 72.6 miles from Anamosa, IA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Urbandale, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anamosa, 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 Anamosa, IA
This is one driving day of about 145.1 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Anamosa, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
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 0.6 and 142.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|Cemetery Road
At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
Navigation decision point
5
32.1 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
7
131.6 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|US 65
Take the exit onto US 65 toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
8
142.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 131
Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.68 one way
$45.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.91
$49.81
premium
$4.89
$27.92
$55.85
diesel
$5.61
$32.04
$64.07
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: 50.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.24
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.70
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.31
$9.29
Gas CO2
51 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Anamosa, IA
Night
in Anamosa on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Urbandale, IA
Night
in Urbandale on Saturday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°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
4 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 57m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this 148.8-mile route features a zero percent highway share, meaning you will spend the entire trip on secondary roads. The character of the drive is defined by frequent transitions and technical navigation rather than high-speed cruising. Because you are relying on local connectors, the rhythm of your travel will be dictated by the curves and intersections of Cemetery Road and County Road E34. It is a hands-on driving experience that rewards those who prefer backroad scenery over the predictable pace of a major expressway.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Cemetery Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 145.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anamosa, IA and Urbandale, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
32.1 mi in|~42m
Des Moines
96.9 mi in|~1h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 145.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Urbandale, IA before heading back.
