Atlantic, IA to Ankeny, IA is 91.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 49 minutes via US 6 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward journey, primarily on major roads, making it a practical option for a quick trip or as a segment of a larger Midwest adventure. Expect a consistent driving experience as you make your way north and east.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Atlantic, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 91.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the journey taking place on major roadways like US 6 and I 80. You'll experience a significant stretch of 62 miles on US 6, offering a consistent pace before transitioning to the interstate. The character is largely that of efficient travel, minimizing time on slower local roads. While not a winding scenic byway, it provides a reliable path to your destination with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 6 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Chestnut Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 9 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 (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (US 6; US 71 / 650th Street): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Chestnut Street
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Navigation decision point
4
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|US 6; US 71 / 650th Street
Turn left onto US 6; US 71 / 650th Street
Navigation decision point
4
10 mi into trip|~15m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
9
72 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward IA 415: Polk City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 135
Toward IA 415: Polk City
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Atlantic, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
Minneapolis
72 mi in|~1h 22m|via I 80
Kansas City
72 mi in|~1h 22m|via I 80
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 6
62 mi
1h 7m
I 80
12.5 mi
14m
650th Street
6.4 mi
8m
East 7th Street
3.5 mi
6m
Northwest 2nd Street
2.8 mi
4m
Southwest State Street
2.5 mi
4m
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.9 mi
1m
Southwest Walnut Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 6
— 62 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlantic, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on this road
227 ft·21 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
266 ft·9 sec·Chestnut Street
3
Turn right onto US 6; IA 83
3.5 mi·6 min·East 7th Street
4
Turn left onto US 6; US 71
6.4 mi·8 min·650th Street
5
Take the exit onto US 6
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 6
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
12 mi·14 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 135Toward IA 415: Polk CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto IA 415
2.8 mi·4 min·Northwest 2nd Street
9
Continue on IA 415
2.5 mi·4 min·Southwest State Street
10
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest Ordnance Road
11
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Southwest Walnut Street
12
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft·2 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 49-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You could leave mid-morning to avoid rush hour in Ankeny or depart early to maximize your time upon arrival. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it’s advisable to fill up before leaving Atlantic, as the longest stretch without significant town services might be on US 6. There are no mandatory stops indicated, but plan for a quick break around the halfway point if needed.
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 45.7 miles from Atlantic, IA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 54m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ankeny, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Atlantic, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Atlantic, IA
This is one driving day of about 91.3 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Atlantic, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 6 for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.7 mi from Atlantic, IA
· 54m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.99
$3.65
EV Truck/SUV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Atlantic, IA
Late night
in Atlantic on Saturday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Late night
in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Adel, IA
46 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
21 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
1h 49m 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 Atlantic, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 91.3 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 6, I 80, 650th 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 45.7 miles from Atlantic, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.27 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.6 miles (US 6; US 71 / 650th Street): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Atlantic, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
