Origin
Ankeny, IA
Night in Ankeny on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ankeny, IA to Marengo, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 50m
Distance
91.6 mi
147 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Marengo, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 91.6-mile drive from Ankeny, IA, to Marengo, IA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be accomplished in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, this route primarily utilizes major highways, making it efficient for travelers. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape throughout. This highway-focused drive is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss transit between these two Iowa towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.8 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 91.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the journey on major roads like I-80 and I-35. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 64 miles on I-80, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the route includes some sections on roads like 380th Avenue, the overall character is that of efficient transit. This road profile suggests a drive where you can maintain steady speed for extended periods, minimizing deviations and maximizing forward progress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 64 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 380th Avenue. 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 Southwest Walnut 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 91.6 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 (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese 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
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
5
6.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ankeny, IA and Marengo, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and What Cheer.
Council Bluffs
6.6 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 35
Davenport
6.6 mi in
|
~9m
|
via I 35
What Cheer
71.6 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 64 mi | 1h 9m |
| 380th Avenue | 15.4 mi | 21m |
| I 35 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| 220th Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| West 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Western Avenue | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Marion Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 64 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Marengo, 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
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West 1st Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I-35 south: Des Moines
5
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
8
Merge onto I 80
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 80
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward IA 21: Belle Plain, What Cheer
10
Turn right onto IA 21
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
220th Street
11
Turn right onto US 6
15 mi
·
21 min
·
380th Avenue
12
Turn left onto IA 212
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Western Avenue
13
Turn right onto West Marion Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
West Marion Street
14
Turn left
135 ft
·
10 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 50-minute duration, this route offers great flexibility; you can leave whenever suits your schedule. Plan for your longest stretch of 64 miles on I-80 and consider a brief stop before or during that segment if needed. With a fuel cost of around $14, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the 64-mile I-80 stretch, as it's the most substantial period without potential exits for services.
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 45.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64 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 20 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.8 miles or 53m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marengo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ankeny, IA
This is one driving day of about 91.6 miles and 1h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 64 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.8 mi from Ankeny, IA · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64 miles.
Arriving in Marengo, IA
The final approach into Marengo, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.32 one way
$28.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.72 | $31.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.63 | $35.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.22 | $40.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.5 | 0 | $9.62 | $4.40 |
| Efficient EV | 22.9 | 0 | $8.01 | $3.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Destination
Marengo, IA
Night in Marengo on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Newton, IA
46 mi in
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
2 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
1h 50m 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 Marengo, IA covers 91.6 miles and takes about 1h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, 380th Avenue, I 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.8 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 $14.32 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.6 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.
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 1.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Ankeny, IA and Marengo, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and What Cheer.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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