Origin
Grinnell, IA
Morning in Grinnell on Friday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grinnell, IA to Ankeny, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
55.1 mi
89 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 2m
★
6 AM
1h 7m
8 AM
1h 18m
10 AM
1h 11m
12 PM
1h 10m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grinnell, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 55.1-mile drive from Grinnell, IA, to Ankeny, IA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just about 1 hour and 7 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 87% of the journey on interstates, making it a quick and efficient connection between two points in the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, this is an economical option for anyone needing to travel between these Iowa cities. You'll spend most of your time on I-80 and I-35, so expect a functional rather than scenic experience. Given the short duration, no overnight stops are necessary.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 55.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, as 87% of your travel will be on major interstates. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 43.2 miles on I-80, which forms the bulk of the journey. The drive progresses primarily along these high-speed corridors, including I-35, with minimal time spent on local roads like West Street. This means you can anticipate consistent speeds and a direct path, though the scenery will likely be typical of interstate driving through the Midwest.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 43.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Avenue
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
47 mi into trip
|
~53m 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
48.3 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
53.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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
55.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 43.2 mi | 46m |
| I 35 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| West Street | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| East 1st Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Park Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 43.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grinnell, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Park Street
67 ft
·
10 sec
·
Park Street
2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
4th Avenue
3
Turn left onto IA 146
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
5
Merge onto I 80
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 80
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
8
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
9
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward 1st Street
11
Keep slight left at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward High Trestle Trail
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
13
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
14
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
15
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.5 mi from Grinnell, IA · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.5 miles from Grinnell, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.61 one way
$17.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.46 | $18.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.60 | $21.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.17 | $24.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.79 | $2.64 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22 | 0 | $7.71 | $3.53 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Morning in Ankeny on Friday
Local time
9:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Colfax, IA
28 mi in
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
21 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
1h 7m 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 Grinnell, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 55.1 miles and takes about 1h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 35, West 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 27.5 miles from Grinnell, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.61 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Grinnell, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Ankeny, IA
Explore more options from Grinnell, IA or browse trips ending in Ankeny, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.