Origin
Ankeny, IA
Night in Ankeny on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ankeny, IA to Osceola County, IA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
220.3 mi
355 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Osceola County, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Osceola County, IA covers 220.3 miles and takes about 4h 35m 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, US 59 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.8 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
110.2 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 220.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 35m highway drive covering 220.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 92.8 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 26 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 92.8 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
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 13 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 13 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
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
4
144.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Turn right onto CR M27 / Armstrong Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
186.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m in
|
US 59; IA 10 / 470th Street
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10 / 470th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 92.8 mi | 1h 47m |
| I 35 | 49.6 mi | 53m |
| US 59 | 13.6 mi | 18m |
| Silver Avenue | 13.5 mi | 19m |
| Roosevelt Avenue | 13 mi | 17m |
| 20th Avenue | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| Armstrong Avenue | 6 mi | 8m |
| 470th Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 92.8 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Osceola County, 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
93 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 20
8
Turn right onto CR M27
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Armstrong Avenue
9
Continue on CR M27
9.2 mi
·
12 min
·
20th Avenue
10
Turn left onto IA 7
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 7
11
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7
12
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
13
Continue on IA 7
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
V Avenue
14
Turn left onto IA 3
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
State Highway 3
15
Turn straight onto IA 3
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
530th Street
16
Turn right onto IA 3
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3
17
Turn right onto US 59
14 mi
·
18 min
·
US 59
18
Turn left onto US 59; IA 10
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
470th Street
19
Continue on US 59; IA 10
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Silver Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Rerick Avenue
21
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Silver Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 18; US 59
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
320th Street
23
Turn right onto US 59
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Roosevelt Avenue
24
Turn right onto 190th Street
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
190th Street
25
Turn left onto Silver Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Silver Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Silver Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 110.2 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.8 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.2 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Osceola County, 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 220.3 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 US 20 for about 92.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.2 mi from Ankeny, IA · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.2 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.8 miles.
Arriving in Osceola County, IA
The final approach into Osceola County, 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 Osceola County, 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
$34.44 one way
$68.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.82 | $75.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $42.39 | $84.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.64 | $97.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.28 | $8.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.1 | 1 | $30.84 | $14.10 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Osceola County, IA
Night in Osceola County on Thursday
Local time
10:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
23 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
4h 35m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Osceola County, IA covers 220.3 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35, US 59. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.2 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 $34.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 35m drive. You will face about 13 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 Osceola County, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Osceola County, IA
More trips to Osceola County, IA
Explore more options from Ankeny, IA or browse trips ending in Osceola County, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Ankeny, IA or Osceola County, IA on MapSof.net.