Origin
Carroll, IA
Afternoon in Carroll on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carroll, IA to Ankeny, IA
Drive Time
1h 55m
Distance
88.9 mi
143 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carroll, IA
Santiago Boada
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Carroll and Ankeny, this 88.8-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Iowa landscape. Expect about 1 hour and 33 minutes of drive time, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budget roughly $13 for fuel to complete the transit from one Midwest community to the other. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will experience a quieter pace of travel. This is a practical, direct connection for those who prefer avoiding the heavy traffic often found on larger highways.
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
44.5 miles from Carroll, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention. Unlike an interstate commute, this route utilizes East 6th Street, County Road N33, and 220th Street to navigate the terrain. With 0% of the trip spent on highways, the personality of this drive is strictly rural and winding. You will find yourself navigating smaller roads for the duration of the 88.8-mile stretch, providing a consistent experience behind the wheel. Expect a technical drive where the road layout requires you to remain engaged with your navigation throughout the entire 1 hour and 33 minutes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 44.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,274 ft
873 ft
Total Climb
523 ft
Total Descent
803 ft
Highest Point
1,274 ft
Elevation Range
400 ft
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.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Carroll, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 55m with 21% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 68 miles (I 35 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
7
68 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 35 Bus
Take the exit onto I 35 Bus toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moi...
5
87 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
88.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 44.4 mi | 58m |
| I 35 Bus | 19 mi | 21m |
| 230th Street | 11 mi | 12m |
| County Road N33 | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| East 6th Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 44.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carroll, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on this road
129 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
74 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn left onto US 30
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East 6th Street
4
Continue on US 30
10 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road N33
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 30
44 mi
·
58 min
·
220th Street
6
Continue on US 30
11 mi
·
12 min
·
230th Street
7
Take the exit onto I 35 Bus
19 mi
·
21 min
·
I 35 Bus
Toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
9
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
10
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
11
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
12
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. While the 88.8-mile duration is manageable in one go, remember that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can make the drive feel longer than the clock suggests. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels before heading out, as local roads may not offer the same frequency of service stations found along major interstates. A smart tip for this specific route is to double-check your GPS settings for County Road N33 and 220th Street before leaving, as the frequent turns can be tricky to navigate if you are not familiar with the local layout.
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 44.5 miles from Carroll, IA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.5 miles or 1h 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 38m
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 Carroll, 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 Carroll, IA
This is one driving day of about 88.9 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carroll, 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 220th Street for about 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.5 mi from Carroll, IA · 1h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 44.5 miles from Carroll, 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
$13.50 one way
$27.01 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.89 | $29.77 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.78 | $33.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.75 | $39.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.33 | $4.27 |
| Efficient EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.45 | $5.69 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
3:26 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
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
1h 55m 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 Carroll, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 88.9 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, I 35 Bus, 230th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.5 miles from Carroll, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.50 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 Carroll, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 55m with 21% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 68 miles (I 35 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 87 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Carroll, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 873 ft to 1,274 ft elevation with about 523 ft of total climbing.
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