Trip from Ankeny, IA to Britt, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

111.7 mi

180 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 12m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Britt, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Overview

This 111.7-mile drive from Ankeny, IA, to Britt, IA, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip, with a fuel cost estimated at $17. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical choice for those looking for an efficient journey within the Midwest. The route is entirely within Iowa, so you won't be crossing state lines, simplifying any travel planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

55.8 miles from Ankeny, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	49.6 mi	53m
US 69	25.9 mi	35m
Little Wall Lake Road	19.5 mi	26m
US 18	9.5 mi	13m
US 20	3.3 mi	3m
West 1st Street	1.5 mi	3m
220th Street	0.8 mi	1m
Main Avenue North	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 49.6 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Britt, IA.

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 35

50 mi · 53 min · I 35

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec

Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

Merge onto US 20

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward US 69

Turn right onto US 69

19 mi · 26 min · Little Wall Lake Road

Turn right onto US 69; IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · 220th Street

Turn straight onto US 69; IA 3

12 mi · 17 min · US 69; IA 3

Continue on US 69

14 mi · 18 min · US 69

At end of road, turn left onto US 18; US 69

9.5 mi · 13 min · US 18; US 69

Turn left onto Main Avenue North

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Main Avenue North

Arrive at destination

Main Avenue North

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 21-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Britt, IA, without feeling rushed. With no designated stops in the data, you have flexibility to add breaks as needed, perhaps at one of the many exits along I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $17, and plan a refueling stop if you're starting with less than half a tank. A specific tip for this route: utilize the 49.6-mile stretch on I-35 to get into a rhythm, but be prepared for potential changes in road type as you transition towards US-69 and Little Wall Lake Road.

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 55.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.6 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 25 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 55.8 miles or 1h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Britt, 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 111.7 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Ankeny, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 49.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gilbert, IA

56 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 55.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

1.4 mi

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

2.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story City, Iowa

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.9

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.8 mi

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.9 mi

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159647141

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15152920100

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 16

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.9

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30 mile 39.9

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 111.7

Britt, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23.9

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest Walnut Street

Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 1st Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street

Navigation decision point

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

55.3 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward US 69

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 69

101.9 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | US 18; US 69

At end of road, turn left onto US 18; US 69

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.46 one way

$34.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$19.17	$38.35
premium	$4.89	$21.50	$42.99
diesel	$5.61	$24.66	$49.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	33.5	$11.73	$5.36
Efficient EV	27.9	$9.77	$4.47
EV Truck/SUV	44.7	$15.64	$7.15

Gas CO2

39 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ankeny, IA

Afternoon in Ankeny on Saturday

Local time

12:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Britt, IA

Afternoon in Britt on Saturday

Local time

12:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Gilbert, IA

56 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

2h 21m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a primarily highway experience on this route, with 79% of the drive taking place on major roads like I-35 and US-69. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.6 miles on I-35, offering a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. While the profile is highway-focused, the inclusion of Little Wall Lake Road suggests a potential for slightly more local road driving as you approach your destination. Overall, this journey leans towards efficiency rather than winding backroads.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 49.6 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 69. 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 2h 21m drive. You will face about 10 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.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 111.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.6 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Britt, IA before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Ankeny, IA to Britt, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Ankeny Cafe

KaffeGeita

Ankeny Cafe

Cafe Diem

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

It's My Jam Cafe

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

The Cafe

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

The Mucky Duck Pub

KaffeGeita

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Cafe Diem

Vinyl Cafe

Juniper & Olive Co.

Labyrinth Coffee

Bookends Cafe

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargeLab Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Discover Ames

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ankeny, IA

Britt, IA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 21m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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