Origin
Cresco, IA
Night in Cresco on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cresco, IA to Urbandale, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
192.6 mi
310 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 18m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cresco, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Urbandale, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 192.6-mile drive from Cresco, IA to Urbandale, IA will take you about 3 hours and 52 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on I-35 and State Highway 9, as well as the Avenue of the Saints. The route is largely highway-focused, and with an estimated fuel cost of around $30, it's an economical choice for traversing the Midwest. This journey is straightforward, perfect for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within Iowa.
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
96.3 miles from Cresco, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109 mi | 1h 58m |
| State Highway 9 | 33 mi | 45m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| US 218 | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| 70th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Highway 9 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Avenue Southwest | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cresco, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on 8th Avenue East
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Avenue East
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street West
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street West
3
Continue on 3rd Street Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
3rd Street Southwest
4
Turn right onto IA 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue Southwest
5
Continue on IA 9
21 mi
·
28 min
·
State Highway 9
6
Continue on IA 9
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
7
Continue on IA 9
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 9
8
Continue on IA 9
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 9
9
Turn left onto US 218
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 218
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 18 east, IA 27 north: Mason City
11
Merge onto US 18; IA 27
31 mi
·
35 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
this road
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
14
Merge onto I 35
103 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 131
Toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto IA 28
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Merle Hay Road
18
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Meredith Drive
19
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
70th Street
20
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Maryland Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Maryland Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 52-minute duration, this drive is easily completed in a single day, so you can leave at your leisure. Plan for one stop to break up the 192.6 miles and refuel if needed, keeping the $30 fuel estimate in mind. The longest stretch is 109 miles on I-35, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between potential stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that extended highway segment, to avoid any unexpected delays.
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 96.3 miles from Cresco, IA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109 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 42 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.3 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
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 Cresco, 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 Cresco, IA
This is one driving day of about 192.6 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Cresco, 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 109 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.3 miles from Cresco, 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 109 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 37 and 189.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
37 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
US 218
Turn left onto US 218
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
48.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the ramp toward US 18 east, IA 27 north: Mason City
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 18 east, IA 27 north: Mason City
5
80.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
183.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
8
189.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m 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
$30.11 one way
$60.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.06 | $66.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.06 | $74.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.52 | $85.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.22 | $9.24 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.85 | $7.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77 | 0 | $26.96 | $12.33 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Urbandale, IA
Night in Urbandale on Saturday
Local time
11:20 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
6 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 52m 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?
Expect an 80% highway experience on this route, characterized by smooth, consistent travel. The majority of your time will be spent on I-35, including a significant stretch of 109 miles without interruption. While primarily highway, you will also encounter State Highway 9 and sections of the Avenue of the Saints, offering a slight variation in the driving landscape. This profile suggests a drive that is predominantly fast-paced, allowing you to cover ground efficiently.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 9. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 37 miles in near US 218.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 192.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 37 miles (US 218): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 192.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 37 miles (US 218): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Urbandale, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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