Origin
Belle Plaine, IA
Afternoon in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
3:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Belle Plaine, IA to Ankeny, IA
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
82.1 mi
132 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Belle Plaine, IA
Tomás Asurmendi
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Belle Plaine to Ankeny, you are in for a straightforward 82.1-mile journey across the Iowa heartland. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 43 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to complete the trek. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. It is a practical, efficient path that avoids the monotony of major interstates, perfect for travelers who prefer local roads. Planning this as a quick turnaround trip is easy given the manageable distance.
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
41.1 miles from Belle Plaine, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than high-speed interstate cruising. With 0% of the route on major highways, you will navigate through the countryside using a combination of the Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, and Northeast 94th Avenue. You can anticipate a variety of road conditions as you shift between these local paths. The longest uninterrupted section you will face is a 37.3-mile stretch on the Lincoln Highway, which provides the most consistent rhythm of the trip. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience compared to a standard highway haul.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.3 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 21 / 13th Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Belle Plaine, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 21 / 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 21 / 13th Street
Turn left onto IA 21 / 13th Street
Navigation decision point
4
5.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
43.2 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
4
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
Southwest Walnut Street
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Belle Plaine, IA to Ankeny, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
43.2 mi in
|
~52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| 13th Street | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| East 1st Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 73rd Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Belle Plaine, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on IA 21
45 ft
·
6 sec
·
7th Avenue
2
Turn left onto IA 21
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
13th Street
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
4
Merge onto US 30
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
73rd Street
5
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
7
Turn left onto IA 330
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
8
Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Northeast 94th Avenue
9
Continue on East 1st Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 1st Street
10
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
11
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
12
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits you best. Because there are no mandatory stops built into the 82.1-mile route, you can easily tackle the entire 1 hour and 43 minutes in one go. Keep in mind that the nature of these local roads means you should stay alert for turns and changing road names as you transition between the Lincoln Highway and smaller connectors. Filling your tank before you leave Belle Plaine is a smart way to manage your $12 fuel budget and ensure a stress-free departure. Taking advantage of the lack of scheduled stops allows you to arrive in Ankeny exactly when you planned.
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 41.1 miles from Belle Plaine, IA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 49m 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 23m
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 Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, IA
This is one driving day of about 82.1 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Belle Plaine, 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.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.1 mi from Belle Plaine, IA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 41.1 miles from Belle Plaine, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ankeny, IA
The final approach into Ankeny, 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 Ankeny, 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
$12.47 one way
$24.94 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.75 | $27.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.50 | $31.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.24 | $36.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.62 | $3.94 |
| Efficient EV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.49 | $5.25 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
3:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 43m 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 Belle Plaine, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 82.1 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, Northeast 94th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.1 miles from Belle Plaine, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.47 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 Belle Plaine, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 21 / 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Belle Plaine, IA to Ankeny, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
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