Origin
Iowa Falls, IA
Afternoon in Iowa Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Iowa Falls, IA to Ankeny, IA
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 21m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 31m
3 PM
1h 33m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa Falls, IA
Ali Soheil
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Connecting Iowa Falls to Ankeny is a straightforward 73.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 27 minutes. You will primarily navigate via US 20 and I-35, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $11 for fuel makes this a very cost-effective commute through the heart of the Midwest. Because the route is short and efficient, it is perfect for those looking to reach the Ankeny area quickly without the fatigue of a long-distance haul. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, you will find the transition between these two Iowa towns seamless and predictable.
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
36.6 miles from Iowa Falls, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will start by transitioning onto the roads before settling into a long, consistent stretch of 49.6 miles on I-35. The drive is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, offering a steady pace that allows you to cover ground quickly. As you move from the quieter roads near Iowa Falls toward the more populated areas approaching Ankeny, the flow of traffic may increase. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 49.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 20. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.2 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: at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.4 mi into trip
|
~28m 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
21.7 mi into trip
|
~29m 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
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
71.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
73.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 49.6 mi | 53m |
| US 20 | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| Oak Street | 5 mi | 8m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| East Rocksylvania Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Commercial Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 49.6 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa Falls, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Commercial Street
331 ft
·
11 sec
·
Commercial Street
2
Turn right onto East Rocksylvania Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Rocksylvania Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 65
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Oak Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 20 West
5
Merge onto US 20
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 20
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 35
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
9
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
10
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
11
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
12
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
13
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule. Keep in mind that with no planned stops required, you can comfortably complete the entire 73.2-mile distance in a single push. If you prefer to avoid the heaviest traffic, consider timing your departure to miss peak commuting hours near Ankeny. Given the $11 fuel estimate, you should have plenty of budget left to manage your trip expenses easily. My best tip for this specific route is to stay alert during the 49.6-mile I-35 stretch, as the monotony of the open interstate can make it easy to lose focus.
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 36.6 miles from Iowa Falls, IA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.6 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 73.2 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 45m 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 12m
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 Iowa Falls, 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 Iowa Falls, IA
This is one driving day of about 73.2 miles and 1h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Iowa Falls, 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 49.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.6 mi from Iowa Falls, IA · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 73.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Iowa Falls, 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
$11.12 one way
$22.24 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $12.26 | $24.51 |
| premium | $4.80 | $13.82 | $27.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.26 | $32.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
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.
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
3:30 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 27m 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 Iowa Falls, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 73.2 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 20, Oak 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 36.6 miles from Iowa Falls, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.12 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 73.2 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: at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Iowa Falls, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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