Origin
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 36m
Distance
126.7 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Springville, IA
Tom Fisk
If you are planning to travel from Ankeny to Springville, you can expect a 126.7-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of paths including Northeast Hubbell Road, 73rd Street, and the historic Lincoln Highway. With a fuel budget of approximately $19, the trip is quite economical for solo travelers or small groups. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a different pace than a standard interstate commute, providing a direct look at the Iowa landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this route provides a straightforward connection between these two Midwest locales.
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
63.4 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route is characterized by its turn-heavy, local nature. Only 8% of your travel occurs on major highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your 2-hour and 36-minute transit navigating regional roads. You will find a bit of breathing room during the longest stretch of the trip, which covers 37 miles along the Lincoln Highway. Because the route relies so heavily on local thoroughfares rather than fast-paced interstates, you will need to stay alert for frequent directional changes. It is a drive that demands your full attention, offering a steady, rhythmic pace that contrasts sharply with the monotony of a typical highway cruise.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 36m 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 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
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
Turn right onto CR X20 / 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Springville, 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 |
| IA 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Marion Airport Road | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| West 1st Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Springville, 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
Turn left onto CR X20
Continue on CR X20
Turn right onto CR X20
Turn left onto CR X20
Turn right onto John Street
Turn right onto Water Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You only need to account for one stop along the way, so keep your itinerary light and focus on maintaining steady momentum. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, it is wise to keep your GPS active and your eyes peeled for navigation shifts, especially when transitioning between local streets and the Lincoln Highway. Budgeting about $19 for fuel should keep you covered, but it is always a good idea to check your levels before leaving Ankeny to avoid unnecessary detours. Since the longest stretch is 37 miles, use that segment as your primary opportunity to settle into a comfortable cruising rhythm before the road demands more frequent turns again.
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.
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 63.4 miles or 1h 19m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springville, 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 126.7 miles and 2h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.4 mi from Ankeny, IA · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 63.4 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Springville, 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 Springville, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.24 one way
$38.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $21.21 | $42.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $23.92 | $47.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.74 | $8.11 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Springville on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
63 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
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
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.
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