Origin
Lake City, IA
Late night in Lake City on Thursday
Local time
3:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake City, IA to Ankeny, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 7m
Distance
97.1 mi
156 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake City, IA
Tom Fisk
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 97.1-mile drive from Lake City, IA, to Ankeny, IA, is a straightforward, single-day adventure taking approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a quick trip within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with a relatively low 20% highway share. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, making it an ideal option for a spontaneous outing or a planned day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.5 miles from Lake City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 97.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (20%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a driving experience that leans heavily on local streets and county roads, with only about 20% of the journey on higher-speed highways. The profile is labeled 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction as you navigate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.9 miles along 220th Street, offering a brief period of consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road segments. This route will likely feel more like exploring the countryside than a typical interstate cruise, with a pace dictated by local traffic and road layouts.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 23.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 175 / East Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 7m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.1 miles (I 35 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
|
IA 175 / East Main Street
Turn left onto IA 175 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
76.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
I 35 Bus
Take the exit onto I 35 Bus toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moi...
5
95.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
95.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
97 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 23.9 mi | 30m |
| 360th Street | 21.8 mi | 30m |
| I 35 Bus | 19 mi | 21m |
| U Avenue | 11.2 mi | 15m |
| 230th Street | 11 mi | 12m |
| Indiana Avenue | 4 mi | 5m |
| 5th Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 23.9 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on North Center Street
45 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Center Street
2
Turn left onto IA 175
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on IA 175
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
360th Street
4
Continue on IA 4; IA 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
5th Street
5
Continue on IA 4; IA 175
15 mi
·
20 min
·
360th Street
6
Turn right onto IA 144
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Indiana Avenue
7
Continue on IA 144
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
U Avenue
8
Continue on IA 144
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Mc Intyre Street
9
Continue on IA 144
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
U Avenue
10
Continue on IA 144
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
9th Street North
11
Turn left onto US 30
24 mi
·
30 min
·
220th Street
12
Continue on US 30
11 mi
·
12 min
·
230th Street
13
Take the exit onto I 35 Bus
19 mi
·
21 min
·
I 35 Bus
Toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
15
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
16
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
17
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
18
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour, 7-minute duration and 97.1-mile distance, this is a comfortable one-day trip. You can leave Lake City, IA, at your leisure, perhaps mid-morning, to arrive in Ankeny, IA, with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for your own breaks as needed, especially during the longer 23.9-mile stretch on 220th Street. The estimated fuel cost is low at $15, so you shouldn't have any major budget concerns. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns that characterize this local drive; a GPS or reliable map app will be your best friend to ensure you stay on track without missing any crucial intersections.
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 48.5 miles from Lake City, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.9 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 44m
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 Lake City, 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 Lake City, IA
This is one driving day of about 97.1 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Lake City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on 220th Street for about 23.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.5 mi from Lake City, IA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.5 miles from Lake City, 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
$15.18 one way
$30.36 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.67 | $33.34 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.69 | $37.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.44 | $42.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.50 | $3.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.59 | $6.21 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Late night in Ankeny on Thursday
Local time
3:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Centerville, IA
49 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
2h 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 Lake City, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 97.1 miles and takes about 2h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, 360th Street, I 35 Bus. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.5 miles from Lake City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.18 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 7m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.1 miles (I 35 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Lake City, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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