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Trip from Shenandoah, IA to Urbandale, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

142.3 mi

229 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

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

Best Time
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Downtown Shenandoah, IA, IA

Shenandoah, IA

Jordan Brown

city in Polk and Dallas counties, Iowa, United States

Urbandale, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Shenandoah, IA to Urbandale, IA covers 142.3 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 80, Fremont Street, US 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 82.1 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.43 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

71.1 miles from Shenandoah, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 82.1 mi 1h 28m
Fremont Street 38.8 mi 54m
US 59 13.8 mi 20m
John MacVicar Freeway 3.3 mi 4m
73rd Street 1.9 mi 3m
West Sheridan Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
72nd Street 0.6 mi 1m
Roseland Drive 0.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 82.1 mi, about 1h 28m

Traffic on I-80

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,459 veh/hr typical · worst 2,858

Quietest

2 AM

~151 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

16.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 34 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Shenandoah, IA and Urbandale, IA.

1

Start on West Clarinda Avenue

108 ft · 7 sec · West Clarinda Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Blossom Street

99 ft · 9 sec · South Blossom Street
3

Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Sheridan Avenue
4

Turn right onto US 59

39 mi · 54 min · Fremont Street
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left onto US 59

6.4 mi · 9 min · US 59
Use the left lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

7.5 mi · 11 min · US 59
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
8

Merge onto I 80

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 80
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 235

3.3 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
Exit 123A Toward I 235 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 3 Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn sharp left onto 73rd Street

1.9 mi · 3 min · 73rd Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12

Continue on 72nd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 72nd Street
13

Turn right onto Roseland Drive

0.2 mi · 1 min · Roseland Drive
14

Turn left onto 70th Street

348 ft · 10 sec · 70th Street
15

Turn right onto Maryland Drive

13 ft · 0 sec · Maryland Drive
16

Arrive at destination

Maryland Drive

Trip Plan

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 71.1 miles from Shenandoah, IA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.1 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 31 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.1 miles or 1h 36m 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 25m

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 Shenandoah, 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 Shenandoah, IA

This is one driving day of about 142.3 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Shenandoah, 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 80 for about 82.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

71 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

Avoca, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.1 miles from Shenandoah, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.1 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

The Sanctuary Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shenandoah, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17122465766

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

0.7 mi

Mondo's Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Shenandoah, Iowa

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Vietnam Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Des Moines, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15152528713

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

1.5 mi

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

1.9 mi

The Sanctuary Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Shenandoah, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+17122465766

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

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

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Mondo's Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Shenandoah, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17122461325

Visit website

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+15152765496

Visit website

Early Bird West Des Moines

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15155282212

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8:30 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Fuego Mexican restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16417422025

Visit website

Vietnam Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

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

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15152528713

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15154109494

Visit website

100th St. Corner Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

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

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–1:30 pm

+15153312343

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159877392

Visit website

Istanbul Grill Cafe & Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 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 end, short detour

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

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15152794341

Visit website

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

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

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Waukee, Iowa

+18887584389

Red E Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waukee, Iowa

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

De Soto, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

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

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Blossom Street

Turn right onto South Blossom Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 59 / Fremont Street

Turn right onto US 59 / Fremont Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
135.7 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway toward I 235 East: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 123A Toward I 235 East: Des Moines
8
139 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3 Toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
7
139.5 mi into trip | ~2h 51m in | 73rd Street

Turn sharp left onto 73rd Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.43 one way

$46.86 round trip

$4.18/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.47 $25.02 $50.04
premium $5.08 $28.48 $56.95
diesel $6.07 $34.01 $68.01

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: 49.8 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.7 0 $14.94 $6.83
Efficient EV 35.6 0 $12.45 $5.69
EV Truck/SUV 56.9 0 $19.92 $9.11

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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 Oct 17, 2026

Origin

Shenandoah, IA

Morning in Shenandoah on Saturday

Local time

9:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

32°F

Clear then Widespread Frost

NNW 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:00PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:00PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Destination

Urbandale, IA

Morning in Urbandale on Saturday

Local time

9:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

33°F

Mostly Clear then Areas Of Frost

NW 1 to 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:00PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:00PM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

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

1 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 56m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

142.3 mi in 2h 56m, mostly highway — 82.1 mi of that is on I 80.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.1 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Fremont Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Blossom Street.

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 142.3 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: near the start (South Blossom Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 59 / Fremont Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,345 ft 942 ft

Total Climb

459 ft

Total Descent

497 ft

Highest Point

1,345 ft

~91.5 mi in

Elevation Range

403 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Shenandoah, IA

Full guide →

Arriving in Urbandale, IA

Full guide →

Founded 1917

Top landmarks

  • • Olmsted Family Farmhouse — historic building located in Urbandale, Iowa, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 142.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.1 miles on I 80. 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: near the start (South Blossom Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 59 / Fremont Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles (I 235 / John MacVicar Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Urbandale, IA before heading back.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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