Origin
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ankeny, IA to Urbandale, IA
Drive Time
22m
Distance
15.8 mi
25 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 26m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 24m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Urbandale, IA
ZaetaFlow Sec
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Ankeny and Urbandale, this 15.8-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Midwest. Covering the distance in roughly 22 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you certainly won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to keep your fuel budget quite low, as a mere $2 in gas is typically sufficient to complete the trip. Because you are traveling entirely within Iowa, you will remain within familiar territory throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-fuss connection that is best viewed as a simple local transit rather than a long-haul expedition. With no mandatory stops required, you have the total freedom to complete the drive in one efficient go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.9 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Your navigation will rely on a mix of Southwest Walnut Street, Southwest Ordnance Road, and Southwest State Street to get you to your destination. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you will spend your time navigating through local transitions. The road's personality is defined by these constant turns, requiring your full attention as you move between towns. It is a functional, rhythmic drive that prioritizes local connectivity over the steady, monotonous pace of a major expressway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southwest Walnut Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Urbandale, IA is easy. At 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ankeny, IA to Urbandale, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Walnut Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southwest Ordnance Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Southwest State Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IA 28 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Merle Hay Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Meredith Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 70th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Southwest Walnut Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Urbandale, IA.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
49 ft
·
7 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Walnut Street
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Ordnance Road
4
Turn left onto Southwest State Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest State Street
5
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
6
Take the ramp slight right
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
7
Merge slight left
3.3 mi
·
3 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
IA 28 South: Merle Hay Road, Saylorville Lake
9
Turn left onto Merle Hay Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Merle Hay Road
10
Turn right onto Meredith Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Meredith Drive
11
Turn left onto 70th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
70th Street
12
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
13 ft
·
1 sec
·
Maryland Drive
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is such a brief 22-minute excursion, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for mid-trip rests or extended fuel breaks, though keeping a $2 reserve for gas ensures you are ready to go at a moment's notice. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to map out your specific turns on Southwest Walnut, Ordnance, and State streets before you pull out of the driveway to stay ahead of the navigation. Taking this trip during off-peak hours will help you avoid potential congestion on these local roads. Use the short duration to your advantage by keeping a light travel schedule and focusing on the ease of local navigation.
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 7.9 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 11m into the drive.
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 15.8 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.9 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Urbandale, 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 15.8 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.9 mi from Ankeny, IA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 15.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.9 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Urbandale, IA
The final approach into Urbandale, 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 Urbandale, 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
$2.40 one way
$4.80 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.65 | $5.29 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.98 | $5.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.51 | $7.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.66 | $0.76 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.38 | $0.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.21 | $1.01 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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
Urbandale, IA
Afternoon in Urbandale on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
44°F
Altoona, IA
8 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
1 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
22m 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 Urbandale, IA covers 15.8 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southwest Walnut Street, Southwest Ordnance Road, Southwest State Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.9 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 $2.40 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.
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Urbandale, IA is easy. At 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ankeny, IA to Urbandale, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ankeny, IA to Urbandale, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Urbandale, IA
More trips to Urbandale, IA
Explore more options from Ankeny, IA or browse trips ending in Urbandale, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Ankeny, IA or Urbandale, IA on MapSof.net.