Origin
Independence, IA
Late night in Independence on Friday
Local time
2:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, IA to Ankeny, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
141.3 mi
227 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, IA
Roger Ce
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Independence, IA, to Ankeny, IA, covers 141.3 miles and is estimated to take about 2 hours and 43 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $22, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate on the Avenue of the Saints, I-35, and US-20, offering a blend of highway and potentially some faster rural road driving.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.7 miles from Independence, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 141.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with approximately 50% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Avenue of the Saints, including one continuous segment of 66.5 miles, which likely offers a more direct and potentially faster pace. The transition between these main roads, like I-35 and US-20, will introduce variations in the driving environment, moving from potentially more open highway to sections that might feel more like traversing through towns or agricultural areas. Expect a blend of speeds and road types as you make your way across Iowa.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 141.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 89.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
|
IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Navigation decision point
6
89.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
5
89.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
139.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
139.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 66.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| I 35 | 49.6 mi | 53m |
| US 20 | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street East | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on 5th Avenue Southeast
42 ft
·
9 sec
·
5th Avenue Southeast
2
Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street East
3
Turn left onto IA 150
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
5
Merge onto US 20
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 20
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 35
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
10
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
11
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
12
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
13
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
14
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short, 2-hour-and-43-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, though an early start can help you maximize your day in Ankeny. With only one designated stop potentially needed, consider a mid-drive break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 66.5-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The manageable distance means you can easily plan for a comfortable arrival without feeling rushed.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.7 miles from Independence, IA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
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 Independence, 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 Independence, IA
This is one driving day of about 141.3 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Independence, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.7 mi from Independence, IA · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.7 miles from Independence, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.09 one way
$44.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.25 | $48.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.20 | $62.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.84 | $6.78 |
| Efficient EV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.36 | $5.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Late night in Ankeny on Friday
Local time
2:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
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
9 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
2h 43m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Independence, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 141.3 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, I 35, US 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.7 miles from Independence, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.09 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 89.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 89.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Independence, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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