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Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
174.6 mi
281 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Epworth, IA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Epworth, IA covers 174.6 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lincoln Highway, Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.30 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
87.3 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
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Expect a 3h 39m drive with frequent turns across 174.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.6 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: near the start (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 102.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the ramp toward US 20 East, US 52 South: Dubuque
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Epworth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Epworth, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 28 mi | 32m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| Marion Airport Road | 24.1 mi | 27m |
| 200th Avenue | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Farley Road | 10.6 mi | 18m |
| IA 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 8.5 mi | 13m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Epworth, IA.
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street
Continue on Northeast 94th Avenue
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30
Continue on US 30
Take the exit
Continue on IA 100
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
Turn right onto US 151
Continue on US 151
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 151 Business; CR Y13
Turn right onto Olde Farley Road
Turn left onto 1st Street Southwest
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 20; US 52
Take the exit
Turn left onto Placid Road
Continue on Center Avenue South
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.3 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Epworth, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 174.6 miles and 3h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.3 mi from Ankeny, IA · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Epworth, 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 Epworth, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.30 one way
$54.59 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.60 | $67.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.55 | $77.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.33 | $8.38 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.28 | $6.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.44 | $11.17 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Ankeny on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Epworth on Wednesday
Local time
5:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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