Origin
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ankeny, IA to Waverly, IA
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
123.4 mi
199 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Waverly, IA
Chris Flaten
Trip Overview
If you are heading from Ankeny to Waverly, expect a straightforward 123.4-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. This drive typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes, making it an easy day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-35, State Highway 3, and 210th Street to complete the trek. Budgeting around $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since you are traveling entirely within Iowa, the transition between regions is seamless and familiar. It is a practical route for those who prefer efficiency over complex navigation.
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
61.7 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 72.4 miles while navigating I-35, which allows for consistent pacing. As you transition off the interstate and onto State Highway 3 and 210th Street, the road personality shifts to a more local feel. Expect a blend of high-speed interstate travel followed by the quieter rhythms of smaller state and local roads. Being behind the wheel requires shifting your focus from highway cruising to the more deliberate pace of regional transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 72.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Waverly, IA is easy. At 2h 33m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 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
3
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
74.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
3
74.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
IA 3 / State Highway 3
Turn right onto IA 3 / State Highway 3
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Waverly, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
Clarion
74.4 mi in
|
~1h 23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 72.4 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 3 | 21.4 mi | 29m |
| 210th Street | 18 mi | 24m |
| 230th Street | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Central Avenue West | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West 1st Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| West Bremer Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 72.4 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Waverly, 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
72 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 35
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
7
Turn right onto IA 3
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
8
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue West
9
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
10
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
11
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
12
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
13
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
14
Continue on IA 3
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
210th Street
15
Continue on IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 3
16
Continue on IA 3
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
230th Street
17
Continue on IA 3
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Heritage Way
18
Continue on IA 3
351 ft
·
12 sec
·
20th Street Northwest
19
Turn right onto US 218 Business; IA 3
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Bremer Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
IA 3
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 33 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop planned, you can easily manage the 123.4 miles in a single session without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the interstate, as availability can change once you transition to the local stretches of 210th Street. Since the drive is relatively short, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours to ensure a smooth transition between road types. Staying mindful of the shift from the high-speed I-35 to the smaller state routes will help you maintain a comfortable pace throughout the day.
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 61.7 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.4 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waverly, 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 123.4 miles and 2h 33m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 72.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.7 mi from Ankeny, IA · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.7 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 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.4 miles.
Arriving in Waverly, IA
The final approach into Waverly, 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 Waverly, 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
$18.74 one way
$37.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $20.66 | $41.32 |
| premium | $4.80 | $23.30 | $46.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.42 | $54.83 |
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: 43.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37 | 0 | $12.96 | $5.92 |
| Efficient EV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.80 | $4.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.28 | $7.90 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Waverly, IA
Afternoon in Waverly on Sunday
Local time
2:55 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
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 33m 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 Waverly, IA covers 123.4 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, State Highway 3, 210th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.7 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 $18.74 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.
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Waverly, IA is easy. At 2h 33m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Waverly, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
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