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Trip from Ankeny, IA to Manson, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

109 mi

175 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

28 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Manson, IA, IA

Manson, IA

Dany Castrejon

Trip Overview

The drive from Ankeny, IA to Manson, IA covers 109 miles and takes about 2h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 20, I 35, Tabor Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.6 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.04 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.

Midpoint

54.5 miles from Ankeny, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 109 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 9m highway drive covering 109 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 50.6 miles on US 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 9m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

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 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest Walnut Street

Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 1st Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street

Navigation decision point

4
51.6 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
5
107.8 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in | IA 7 / 190th Street

At end of road, turn right onto IA 7 / 190th Street

Navigation decision point

5
109 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | Main Street

Turn right onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 50.6 mi 58m
I 35 49.6 mi 53m
Tabor Avenue 3.5 mi 6m
Sigourney Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
West 1st Street 1.5 mi 3m
220th Street 0.7 mi <1m
8th Street 0.4 mi <1m
10th Avenue 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 50.6 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Manson, IA.

1

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
2

Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
5

Merge onto I 35

50 mi · 53 min · I 35
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
7

Merge onto US 20

51 mi · 58 min · US 20
8

Turn right onto CR N65

1.6 mi · 2 min · Sigourney Avenue
9

At end of road, turn right onto D26

0.7 mi · 59 sec · 220th Street
10

Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

3.0 mi · 5 min · Tabor Avenue
11

At end of road, turn right onto IA 7

25 ft · 5 sec · 190th Street
12

Turn left onto Tabor Avenue

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Tabor Avenue
13

Continue on 8th Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · 8th Street
14

Turn right onto 10th Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · 10th Avenue
15

Turn right onto Main Street

35 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
16

Arrive at destination

Main Street

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.5 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.6 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 24 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 54.5 miles or 1h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manson, 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 109 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 50.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 54.5 mi from Ankeny, IA · 1h 2m into the drive

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

55 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.5 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Manson, IA

The final approach into Manson, 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 Manson, IA.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 54.5

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 23.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.04 one way

$34.08 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.71 $37.42
premium $4.89 $20.98 $41.95
diesel $5.61 $24.07 $48.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Webster City, Iowa

Blink

1 DCFC

Red E Charging Station

Webster City, Iowa

Other

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 13 Other: 7 Blink: 3 EV Connect: 2 Tesla: 1 Shell Recharge: 1 EVgo: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.7 0 $11.44 $5.23
Efficient EV 27.3 0 $9.54 $4.36
EV Truck/SUV 43.6 0 $15.26 $6.98

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ankeny, IA

Evening in Ankeny on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Manson, IA

Evening in Manson on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

48°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

22 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 9m 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 Manson, IA covers 109 miles and takes about 2h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35, Tabor Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.5 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 $17.04 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 9m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Ankeny, IA to Manson, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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