Origin
Bellevue, IA
Afternoon in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellevue, IA to Ankeny, IA
Drive Time
4h 6m
Distance
200.5 mi
323 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Bellevue, IA
Kelly
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Traveling from Bellevue to Ankeny covers 200.5 miles across the heart of the Midwest, typically taking about 4 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $30 on fuel to complete the trip. Your route primarily utilizes US 151, the Lincoln Highway, and Marshalltown Boulevard to navigate between these two Iowa points. Whether you are heading west for business or visiting family, this drive offers a straightforward transit through the state's interior. It is a practical, efficient trek that serves well as a standalone day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.2 miles from Bellevue, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending stretches of fast-moving highways with more localized road segments. You will spend roughly 38% of your time on highways, providing a balanced experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted portion of the journey occurs on US 151, where you can settle in for a 58.1-mile stretch. As you transition from the main highway arteries onto the Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard, the character of the drive shifts, requiring more attention to road changes. You can expect a varied environment that keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly monotonous.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 151 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 81.5 miles in near IA 100.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 6m 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: at 81.5 miles (IA 100): Navigation decision point; at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
81.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
IA 100
Turn right onto IA 100
Navigation decision point
5
96.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
161.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
200.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m in
|
Southwest Walnut Street
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
200.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Bellevue, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
96.7 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Des Moines
161.5 mi in
|
~3h 14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 151 | 58.1 mi | 1h 7m |
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| Great River Road | 16.7 mi | 22m |
| IA 100 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| US 61 | 2.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 151
— 58.1 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on US 52
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Riverview Street
2
Continue on US 52
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Great River Road
3
Continue on US 52
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Great River Road
5
Continue on US 52
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bellevue Road
6
Turn left onto US 61; US 151; US 52
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 61; US 151; US 52
7
Take the exit onto US 151
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 151
8
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
9
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi
·
18 min
·
IA 100
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
11
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
13
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
15
Turn left onto IA 330
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
16
Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Northeast 94th Avenue
17
Continue on East 1st Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 1st Street
18
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
19
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 6-minute transit, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the entire route is only 200.5 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the longer 58.1-mile stretch on US 151, as it is helpful to ensure you are topped off before committing to that segment. Given the moderate duration, leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Ankeny with ample daylight left for your plans. Use this single-stop strategy to keep your arrival time predictable and your fatigue levels low.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.2 miles from Bellevue, IA, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 100.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 18m
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 Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, IA
This is one driving day of about 200.5 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bellevue, 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 US 151 for about 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.2 mi from Bellevue, IA · 2h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 100.2 miles from Bellevue, 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
$30.45 one way
$60.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.57 | $67.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.85 | $75.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.54 | $89.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.05 | $9.62 |
| Efficient EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.07 | $12.83 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Marion, IA
100 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
5 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
4h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bellevue, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 200.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 151, Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.2 miles from Bellevue, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 6m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 81.5 miles (IA 100): Navigation decision point; at 96.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Bellevue, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
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