The drive from Monticello, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 147.7 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, US 151 Business for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.09 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.9 miles from Monticello, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 147.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h drive with frequent turns across 147.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 38 / East 1st Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Monticello, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 3h with 28% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 38 / East 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 151 Business; IA 38 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 44 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|IA 38 / East 1st Street
Turn left onto IA 38 / East 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 151 Business; IA 38 / South Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 151 Business; IA 38 / South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
44 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
108.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
5
147.7 mi into trip|~3h in|Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Monticello, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
44 mi in|~54m
Des Moines
108.8 mi in|~2h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi
32m
US 151 Business
25.3 mi
29m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
IA 100
15.2 mi
18m
Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
13m
16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi
2m
East 1st Street
2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monticello, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on North Maple Street
73 ft·8 sec·North Maple Street
2
Turn left onto IA 38
0.2 mi·16 sec·East 1st Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto US 151 Business; IA 38
1.9 mi·3 min·South Main Street
4
Continue on US 151 Business
0.2 mi·26 sec·Amber Road
5
Take the ramp onto US 151 Business
25 mi·29 min·US 151 Business
6
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
7
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi·18 min·IA 100
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
9
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
10
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
11
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
13
Turn left onto IA 330
28 mi·32 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
14
Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi·13 min·Northeast 94th Avenue
15
Continue on East 1st Street
1.8 mi·4 min·East 1st Street
16
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Southwest Walnut Street
17
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft·2 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
18
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.9 miles from Monticello, IA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 29m 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 24m
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 Monticello, 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 Monticello, IA
This is one driving day of about 147.7 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Monticello, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.9 mi from Monticello, IA
· 1h 29m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.51
$7.09
Efficient EV
36.9
0
$12.92
$5.91
EV Truck/SUV
59.1
0
$20.68
$9.45
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Monticello, IA
Late night
in Monticello on Saturday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Late night
in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
74 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
23 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
3h 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 Monticello, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 147.7 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, US 151 Business. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.9 miles from Monticello, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.09 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Monticello, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 3h with 28% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 38 / East 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 151 Business; IA 38 / South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 44 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Monticello, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
