Origin
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA
Drive Time
16m
Distance
12.4 mi
20 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ankeny to Des Moines is a quick, straightforward journey spanning just 12.4 miles. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 16 minutes, making it an ideal day trip within the Iowa heartland. Because the distance is so short, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated travel logistics. Budgeting around $2 for fuel is more than enough to cover the drive. Whether you are commuting or heading into the city for the afternoon, this route offers a seamless transition between these two Midwest locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
6.2 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you alert as you navigate toward the city. You will primarily utilize Southwest Walnut Street, West 1st Street, and I-35 south to reach your destination. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be spending your time on long, monotonous interstate stretches. Instead, you will be navigating local roads that require more focus and frequent adjustments behind the wheel. It is a functional, efficient route that prioritizes direct access over high-speed cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southwest Walnut Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Walnut Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-35 south | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 235 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John MacVicar Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Village | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Southwest Walnut Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
49 ft
·
4 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West 1st Street
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-35 south: Des Moines
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
I-35 south: Des Moines
5
Merge slight left
4.7 mi
·
5 min
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 235 West: Des Moines
7
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
9
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
10
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
11
Turn left onto East University Avenue
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
East University Avenue
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 16-minute duration, you have total flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows. Since there are no required stops on this 12.4-mile trip, you can easily make the drive in one go without needing to refuel or take breaks. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local streets rather than highway travel, traffic patterns can shift quickly, so check your navigation app before pulling out of your driveway. Enjoy the advantage of a short commute that leaves you plenty of time to explore Des Moines once you arrive.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 6.2 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 8m into the drive.
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 12.4 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.2 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ankeny, 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 Ankeny, IA
This is one driving day of about 12.4 miles and 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.2 mi from Ankeny, IA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.2 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
The final approach into Des Moines, 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 Des Moines, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.88 one way
$3.77 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.08 | $4.15 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.34 | $4.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.75 | $5.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.30 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.74 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Des Moines, IA
Afternoon in Des Moines on Sunday
Local time
2:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
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
16m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA covers 12.4 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southwest Walnut Street, West 1st Street, I-35 south. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.2 miles from Ankeny, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA is easy. At 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ankeny, IA to Des Moines, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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