Origin
Carlisle, IA
Late night in Carlisle on Wednesday
Local time
1:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carlisle, IA to Ankeny, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
31m
Distance
23 mi
37 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 34m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlisle, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 23-mile drive from Carlisle, IA to Ankeny, IA will take you approximately 31 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway and I-35, with a portion on IA-5. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route offers a convenient and budget-friendly option for travel within Iowa. The Midwest region provides a familiar backdrop for this short journey. You won't need to worry about overnight stays; this trip is perfectly suited for a single day.
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
11.5 miles from Carlisle, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 31% of your journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 10.3 miles on the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. This road offers a blend of faster highway segments and potentially more local road conditions as you transition. It's not a monotonous interstate cruise, but rather a varied drive that keeps you engaged without being overly demanding. You'll experience different road personalities as you progress from Carlisle to Ankeny.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 23 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
12.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
7
14.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
16.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
8
21.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward High Trestle Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward High Trestle Trail
5
23 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| I 35 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| IA 5 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| East 1st Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| I 80 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North 5th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
— 10.3 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlisle, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on North 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North 5th Street
2
Turn right onto IA 5
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto US 65
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
5
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
6
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
10
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward 1st Street
12
Keep slight left at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward High Trestle Trail
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
14
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
15
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 31-minute duration, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion in the Des Moines metro area. With only 23 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $4, you won't need extensive stops, but it's always wise to top off your tank before you leave Carlisle. Keep an eye out for transitions between the Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway and I-35, as these can sometimes involve quick merges or lane changes.
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 11.5 miles from Carlisle, IA, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.3 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 23 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.5 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, IA
This is one driving day of about 23 miles and 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carlisle, 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 Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway for about 10.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.5 mi from Carlisle, IA · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.5 miles from Carlisle, 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
$3.60 one way
$7.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.95 | $7.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.43 | $8.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.08 | $10.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.41 | $1.10 |
| Efficient EV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.01 | $0.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Late night in Ankeny on Wednesday
Local time
1:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
18 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
31m 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 Carlisle, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 23 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, I 35, IA 5. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.5 miles from Carlisle, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.60 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 23 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Carlisle, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ankeny, IA
More from Carlisle, IA
More trips to Ankeny, IA
Explore more options from Carlisle, IA or browse trips ending in Ankeny, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Carlisle, IA or Ankeny, IA on MapSof.net.