Origin
Fort Dodge, IA
Evening in Fort Dodge on Sunday
Local time
8:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Dodge, IA to Ankeny, IA
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
85.2 mi
137 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fort Dodge to Ankeny, you are looking at a straightforward 85.2-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-35, US-20 Business, and East 1st Street to complete the transit. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably in a standard vehicle. Because the route is compact and efficient, it works perfectly for a quick business trip or a casual visit between these Iowa hubs.
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
42.6 miles from Fort Dodge, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is designed for efficiency, with 91% of the trip spent on high-speed roads. You can settle in for a steady pace, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 49.1 miles along I-35. The transition from the local streets of Fort Dodge to the major interstate corridors is seamless, allowing you to maintain a consistent speed for the bulk of your travel. While the route lacks the complexity of winding backroads, the predictable nature of the interstate makes for a low-stress experience behind the wheel. Expect a functional, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and directness over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.1 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,194 ft
873 ft
Total Climb
333 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
1,194 ft
~28.4 mi in
Elevation Range
321 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 20 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near South 32nd Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 42m 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 1 miles (South 32nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 20 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South 32nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto South 32nd Street
Navigation decision point
7
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 20 Business
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business toward US 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward US 20 East
5
34.1 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
83.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
83.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 49.1 mi | 53m |
| US 20 Business | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 8th Avenue South | 1 mi | 2m |
| Mill Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Nelson Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Quail Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Paragon Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 49.1 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Dodge, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on 8th Avenue South
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
8th Avenue South
2
At end of road, turn right onto South 32nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 32nd Street
3
Continue on Paragon Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Paragon Avenue
4
Continue on Mill Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Mill Road
5
Continue on 220th Street
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
220th Street
6
Turn right onto US 20 Business
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Quail Avenue
7
Continue on US 20 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelson Avenue
8
Take the ramp onto US 20 Business
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 20 Business
Toward US 20 East
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
10
Merge onto I 35
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
12
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
13
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 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
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic congestion near Ankeny. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops given the sub-two-hour duration, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Fort Dodge ensures you won't have to worry about stops along the way. Keep a close watch on your speed as you transition onto I-35, as traffic patterns can shift quickly once you merge onto the interstate. Because the route is so direct, use the extra time saved on the road to enjoy a more relaxed arrival at your final destination.
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 42.6 miles from Fort Dodge, IA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.6 miles or 53m 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 Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge, IA
This is one driving day of about 85.2 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Dodge, 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 I 35 for about 49.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.6 mi from Fort Dodge, IA · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 42.6 miles from Fort Dodge, 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
$12.94 one way
$25.88 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.27 | $28.53 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.08 | $32.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.93 | $37.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
| Efficient EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.46 | $3.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.93 | $5.45 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Evening in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
8:43 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 42m 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 Fort Dodge, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 85.2 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 20 Business, East 1st 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 42.6 miles from Fort Dodge, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.94 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 42m 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 1 miles (South 32nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (US 20 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Dodge, 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 1,194 ft elevation with about 333 ft of total climbing.
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