Origin
Oelwein, IA
Afternoon in Oelwein on Friday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oelwein, 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
3h 6m
Distance
156.1 mi
251 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oelwein, IA
Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 156.1-mile journey from Oelwein, IA to Ankeny, IA is a straightforward drive entirely within the Midwest, taking approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes. It's perfectly suited as a day trip, with a manageable estimated fuel cost of $24. The route offers a mixed driving experience, making it neither a grueling interstate marathon nor a slow, winding country road. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider this a practical, no-fuss drive connecting two points in Iowa.
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
78 miles from Oelwein, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive is characterized by a 45% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster-paced travel and more traditional road conditions. You'll encounter stretches on Avenue of the Saints, I 35, and US 20. The longest uninterrupted section spans 66.5 miles on Avenue of the Saints, providing a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. This mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience, transitioning between different types of roadways as you progress toward Ankeny.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 104.3 miles in.
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 156.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 104.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
104.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
104.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
154.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
154.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
156.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
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 |
| Jackson Avenue | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Jamestown Avenue | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Palace Road | 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 Oelwein, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on South Frederick Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Frederick Avenue
2
Turn left onto 10th Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
10th Street Southeast
3
Turn right onto IA 150
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Rock Island Road
4
Continue on Palace Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Palace Road
5
Continue on IA 150
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Jackson Avenue
6
Continue on IA 150
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street North
7
Continue on IA 150
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Jackson Avenue
8
Continue on IA 150
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Jamestown Avenue
9
Continue on IA 150
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Avenue Northeast
10
Turn right onto IA 150; CR D22
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street East
11
Turn left onto IA 150
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
13
Merge onto US 20
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 20
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 35
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
18
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
19
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
20
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
21
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
22
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3-hour duration, departing Oelwein in the morning allows ample time to reach Ankeny without feeling rushed. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in planning your break, perhaps around the halfway point or when you hit a longer stretch of highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 66.5-mile segment on Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent. The $24 fuel cost is a good estimate to budget for, ensuring a smooth and predictable trip.
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 78 miles from Oelwein, IA, or about 1h 36m 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 36m 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 33m
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 Oelwein, 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 Oelwein, IA
This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Oelwein, 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 78 mi from Oelwein, IA · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78 miles from Oelwein, 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
$24.40 one way
$48.81 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.80 | $53.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.04 | $60.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.46 | $68.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Friday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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 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 6m 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 Oelwein, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 156.1 miles and takes about 3h 6m 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 78 miles from Oelwein, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.40 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 104.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Oelwein, 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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