Trip from Greene, IA to Ankeny, IA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

115.8 mi

186 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

10 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 14m ★

6 AM

2h 24m

8 AM

2h 43m

10 AM

2h 30m

12 PM

2h 28m

3 PM

2h 31m

5 PM

2h 42m

8 PM

2h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Greene, IA

Thirdman

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Greene, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 115.8 miles and takes about 2h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, State Highway 3, Liberty Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 72.4 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.10 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57.9 miles from Greene, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 115.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 23m highway drive covering 115.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and State Highway 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 72.4 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 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 72.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 10.8 miles in near IA 3 / 210th Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 23m 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 10.8 miles (IA 3 / 210th Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

10.8 mi into trip | ~16m in | IA 3 / 210th Street

At end of road, turn right onto IA 3 / 210th Street

Navigation decision point

41.2 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Hampton, Clarion

41.5 mi into trip | ~1h in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

113.9 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Take the exit toward 1st Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 92 Toward 1st Street

114.2 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Greene, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Hampton and Clarion.

Hampton

41.2 mi in | ~1h

Clarion

41.2 mi in | ~1h

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	72.4 mi	1h 18m
State Highway 3	17.2 mi	23m
Liberty Avenue	9.4 mi	14m
210th Street	9.2 mi	12m
Central Avenue East	2.1 mi	4m
South Street	1.7 mi	2m
East 1st Street	1.4 mi	3m
State Highway 14	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 72.4 mi, about 1h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Greene, IA and Ankeny, IA.

Start on North 1st Street

74 ft · 3 sec · North 1st Street

Turn right onto CR C13

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Traer Street

Continue on CR C13

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West South Street

Turn left onto IA 14

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 14

Continue on IA 14

9.4 mi · 14 min · Liberty Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto IA 3

7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

Continue on IA 3

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Street

Continue on IA 3

1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

Continue on IA 3

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

Continue on IA 3

2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue East

Continue on IA 3

9.0 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

Continue on IA 3

517 ft · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward Hampton, Clarion

Merge onto I 35

72 mi · 1 hr 18 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 92 Toward 1st Street

Keep slight right at fork

301 ft · 9 sec

Turn straight onto East 1st Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

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 57.9 miles from Greene, IA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.4 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 25 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.9 miles or 1h 18m 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 58m

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 Greene, 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 Greene, IA

This is one driving day of about 115.8 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Greene, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 72.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57.9 mi from Greene, IA · 1h 18m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, IA

58 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.

Popular next leg

Oakland, IA to Ankeny, IA

67.2 mi · 1h 25m

Pacing Suggestions

Ackley, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oakland, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Greene, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.4 miles.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.1

Hampton, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 49.6

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 91

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 91

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 91

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 82.7

Story City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 91

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 99.3

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 91

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.10 one way

$36.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$19.88	$39.75
premium	$4.89	$22.28	$44.57
diesel	$5.61	$25.57	$51.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Dows Junction - Tesla Supercharger

Dows, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kwik Star - Tesla Supercharger

Ames, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Ames Ford Lincoln

Ames, IA

EV Connect

8 DCFC

Flying J 572

Williams, IA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Ankeny Iowa

Ankeny, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

DeYarman CDJR Ames

Ames, IA

Blink Network

2 DCFC

DEWEY FORD POWERLINK 1

Ankeny, IA

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

DEWEY FORD POWER LINK 2

Ankeny, IA

ChargePoint Network

2 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 3 Tesla: 2 eVgo Network: 1 Blink Network: 1 EV Connect: 1 CHARGELAB: 1 Non-Networked: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	34.7	$12.16	$5.56
Efficient EV	29	$10.13	$4.63
EV Truck/SUV	46.3	$16.21	$7.41

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Greene, IA

Night in Greene on Thursday

Local time

11:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ankeny, IA

Night in Ankeny on Thursday

Local time

11:50 PM

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

23 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

2h 23m 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 Greene, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 115.8 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, State Highway 3, Liberty Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 57.9 miles from Greene, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.10 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 2h 23m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Between Greene, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Hampton and Clarion.

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Return Trip

Ankeny, IA to Greene, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

115.8 mi 2h 23m

Explore more options from Greene, IA or browse trips ending in Ankeny, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Greene, IA to Ankeny, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ankeny, IA

Nearby Places

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Discover Ames

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Greene, IA

Ankeny, IA

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Ankeny, IA

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