Origin
Rockwell City, IA
Morning in Rockwell City on Thursday
Local time
10:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockwell City, IA to Ankeny, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
109.7 mi
177 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockwell City, IA
Kelly
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 109.7-mile journey from Rockwell City, IA, to Ankeny, IA, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 8 minutes. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, with no need for an overnight stop. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $17 for this drive. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.9 miles from Rockwell City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 109.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the route utilizing higher-speed roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.1 miles on US 20, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The character is largely that of a consistent highway experience, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. Expect straightforward driving conditions as you navigate between these Iowa communities.
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.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 8m 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 (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 58.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.8 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.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
107.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
108.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
109.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 54.1 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 35 | 49.1 mi | 53m |
| Ogden Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 1st Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 54.1 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockwell City, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on 4th Street
191 ft
·
10 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto 1st Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street
4
Continue on N57
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Ogden Avenue
5
Turn right onto US 20
54 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 20
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
7
Merge onto I 35
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the 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
With a total travel time of just over two hours, this route offers flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon should get you to Ankeny with plenty of daylight remaining. Given the relatively short distance, you won't need to worry about extensive stop planning; perhaps a quick break at a rest area or a town along US 20 would suffice. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 54.1-mile stretch on US 20, as services might be more spaced out.
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 54.9 miles from Rockwell City, IA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.1 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.9 miles or 1h 5m 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 Rockwell 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 Rockwell City, IA
This is one driving day of about 109.7 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Rockwell City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 54.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.9 mi from Rockwell City, IA · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.9 miles from Rockwell 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
$17.15 one way
$34.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.83 | $37.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.11 | $42.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.22 | $48.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.27 |
| Efficient EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.60 | $4.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Morning in Ankeny on Thursday
Local time
10:52 AM
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
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 8m 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 Rockwell City, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 109.7 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35, Ogden Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.9 miles from Rockwell City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.15 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 8m 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 (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 58.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Rockwell City, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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