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Trip from Grundy Center, 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 41m

Distance

74.8 mi

120 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 34m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

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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Downtown Grundy Center, IA, IA

Grundy Center, IA

Ethan Bianco

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Grundy Center, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on IA 330, Sanford Avenue, Northeast 94th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.7 miles on IA 330. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.69 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

37.4 miles from Grundy Center, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 74.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (40%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

The drive from Grundy Center, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 41m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
IA 330 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 7.3 miles in near IA 14 / Sanford Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Grundy Center, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 41m with 40% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (IA 14 / Sanford Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.2 miles (IA 330 / 160th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles (IA 330 / North Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
7.3 mi into trip | ~10m in | IA 14 / Sanford Avenue

Turn left onto IA 14 / Sanford Avenue

Navigation decision point

3
23.2 mi into trip | ~32m in | IA 330 / 160th Street

Turn right onto IA 330 / 160th Street

Navigation decision point

4
27.5 mi into trip | ~38m in | IA 330 / North Main Street

Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330 / North Main Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
74.6 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | Southwest Walnut Street

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

5
74.8 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | Southwest 3rd Street

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
IA 330 29.7 mi 34m
Sanford Avenue 15.9 mi 21m
Northeast 94th Avenue 8.5 mi 13m
240th Street 6.3 mi 9m
Marsh Avenue 5.9 mi 8m
160th Street 4.3 mi 5m
East 1st Street 1.8 mi 4m
North Main Street 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: IA 330 — 29.7 mi, about 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IA 14; IA 175

1.0 mi · 1 min · G Avenue
2

Continue on IA 14; IA 175

6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
3

Turn left onto IA 14

16 mi · 21 min · Sanford Avenue
4

Turn right onto IA 330

4.3 mi · 5 min · 160th Street
5

Keep slight left at fork onto IA 330

1.2 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
6

Continue on IA 330

5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
7

Turn right onto IA 330

30 mi · 34 min · IA 330
8

Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue

8.5 mi · 13 min · Northeast 94th Avenue
9

Continue on East 1st Street

1.8 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street
10

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
11

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
12

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 37.4 miles from Grundy Center, IA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 16 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 37.4 miles or 51m 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 22m

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 Grundy Center, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Grundy Center, IA

This is one driving day of about 74.8 miles and 1h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Grundy Center, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on IA 330 for about 29.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.4 mi from Grundy Center, IA · 51m into the drive

Downtown Rhodes, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rhodes, IA

37 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

Conrad, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Melbourne, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.4 miles from Grundy Center, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Tremont on Main Restaurants and Inn

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 32.1

Marshalltown, Iowa

+16417521234

Visit website

Benola’s Pub & Patio

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.1

Baxter, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16412272080

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 32.1

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 32.1

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.69 one way

$23.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $12.84 $25.68
premium $4.89 $14.39 $28.79
diesel $5.61 $16.51 $33.03

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.4 0 $7.85 $3.59
Efficient EV 18.7 0 $6.54 $2.99
EV Truck/SUV 29.9 0 $10.47 $4.79

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% 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

Grundy Center, IA

Evening in Grundy Center on Friday

Local time

6:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ankeny, IA

Evening in Ankeny on Friday

Local time

6:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Rhodes, IA

37 mi in

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

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 41m 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 Grundy Center, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 74.8 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are IA 330, Sanford Avenue, Northeast 94th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 37.4 miles from Grundy Center, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.69 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 Grundy Center, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 1h 41m with 40% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (IA 14 / Sanford Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.2 miles (IA 330 / 160th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.5 miles (IA 330 / North Main Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Grundy Center, 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.

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