Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
56m
Distance
37.2 mi
60 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Urbandale, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Boone, IA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a quick excursion from Urbandale to Boone, you are looking at a straightforward 37.2-mile journey that typically takes about 56 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel is sufficient for the round trip. You will navigate through the heart of the Midwest, transitioning between these two Iowa communities via local roads rather than major interstate corridors. Because the drive is short, it offers great flexibility if you need to return home the same day. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that keeps you within the state of Iowa for the entire duration.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Kennedy Avenue | 12.3 mi | 17m |
| Northwest 142nd Street | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Meredith Drive | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Southeast Grimes Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Northwest 114th Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Mamie Eisenhower Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Northwest Granger Drive | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Y Avenue | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale, IA and Boone, IA.
Start on Maryland Drive
Turn right onto 70th Street
At end of road, turn left onto Meredith Drive
Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Continue on IA 141
Take the exit
Continue on IA 17
Enter roundabout onto IA 17
Continue on IA 17
Continue on State Highway 17
Continue on Y Avenue
Continue on IA 17
Continue on IA 17
Turn left onto Robin Road
At end of road, turn left onto CR E41
Continue on Mamie Eisenhower Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18.6 miles from Urbandale, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 33.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto 70th Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto Meredith Drive
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward IA 17: Madrid, Boone
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto IA 17 / Northwest 142nd Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto Robin Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$5.82 one way
$11.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.39 | $12.77 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.16 | $14.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.21 | $16.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.91 | $1.79 |
| Efficient EV | 9.3 | 0 | $3.26 | $1.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Urbandale on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in Boone on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With a 100% highway share, the path relies on surface roads like South Kennedy Avenue, Northwest 142nd Street, and Meredith Drive to get you to your destination. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on South Kennedy Avenue, spanning 12.3 miles before the road profile shifts. The experience behind the wheel is characterized by frequent adjustments and local navigation rather than high-speed cruising. As you progress, the transition between these specific local roads defines the rhythm of your trip.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 70th Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Urbandale, IA to Boone, IA is easy. At 56m with 1% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (70th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (Meredith Drive): Navigation decision point; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
371 ft
Total Descent
183 ft
Highest Point
1,162 ft
~34.6 mi in
Elevation Range
301 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 37.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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