The drive from Ankeny, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA covers 143.8 miles and takes about 2h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East University Avenue, I 35, US 34 Business for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 122.4 miles on East University Avenue.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.48 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
71.9 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 143.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 53m drive with frequent turns across 143.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East University Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 122.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Effort6/10
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 143.8 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 6.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
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...
8
10.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
6
14.7 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79
Toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant...
6
139.2 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|US 34 Business
Take the exit onto US 34 Business toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 229
Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Wes...
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 Mount Pleasant, IA, road signs point toward Des Moines and Pleasant Hill.
Des Moines
10.2 mi in|~15m
Pleasant Hill
14.7 mi in|~20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East University Avenue
122.4 mi
2h 21m
I 35
4.8 mi
5m
US 34 Business
4.4 mi
7m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi
4m
I 80
2.6 mi
2m
Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
West 1st Street
1.4 mi
3m
Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East University Avenue
— 122.4 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Mount Pleasant, 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 137AToward I 80 East: Davenport
8
Merge onto I 80
2.6 mi·2 min·I 80
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 141Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi·4 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 79Toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
12
Turn left onto IA 163
3.3 mi·4 min·East University Avenue
13
Continue on IA 163
1.8 mi·2 min·Northeast University Avenue
14
Continue on IA 163
119 mi·2 hr 17 min·East University Avenue
15
Take the exit onto US 34 Business
4.4 mi·7 min·US 34 Business
Exit 229Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
16
Turn right onto South White Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·South White Street
17
Arrive at destination
South White 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.9 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.4 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 27m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 143.8 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East University Avenue for about 122.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.9 mi from Ankeny, IA
· 1h 27m into the drive
The midpoint is around 71.9 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before East University Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.4 miles.
Arriving in Mount Pleasant, IA
The final approach into Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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.
Top Restaurant
Ankeny Cafe
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ankeny, Iowa
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
$10 to $20
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+15159649897
Pad Thai Restaurant
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Mt Pleasant, Iowa
0.3 mi
Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Altoona, Iowa
0.7 mi
Top Coffee Stop
The Perk Of Pella
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Pella, Iowa
Around the midpoint, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 51.4
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.48 one way
$44.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.68
$49.37
premium
$4.89
$27.67
$55.35
diesel
$5.61
$31.75
$63.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.1
0
$15.10
$6.90
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.58
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Morning
in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Mount Pleasant, IA
Morning
in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
4 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
2h 53m 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 Mount Pleasant, IA covers 143.8 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East University Avenue, I 35, US 34 Business. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.9 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 $22.48 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.8 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 6.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ankeny, IA and Mount Pleasant, IA, road signs point toward Des Moines and Pleasant Hill.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
