Origin
Sac City, IA
Late night in Sac City on Saturday
Local time
12:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sac City, IA to Ankeny, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
126.6 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sac City, IA
Stephen Leonardi
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sac City, IA to Ankeny, IA is 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 27m via US 20 and I-35, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that won't demand much of your time or attention. You'll be covering most of the distance on major roads, making it a practical choice for a quick transit between these two points. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within a reasonable driving window.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.3 miles from Sac City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, particularly on US 20, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted segment at 72.6 miles. The transition to I-35 will offer further efficiency. Expect a driving experience characterized by smooth, predictable travel for the majority of the trip. It's designed for making good time rather than for leisurely exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 72.6 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 North 5th 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 27m 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 (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.7 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
|
North 5th Street
Turn left onto North 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
124.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
125 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
126.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 72.6 mi | 1h 23m |
| I 35 | 49.1 mi | 53m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Sierra Avenue | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| North 5th Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 72.6 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sac City, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on CR D36
71 ft
·
9 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto North 5th Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 5th Street
3
Continue on CR M54
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Sierra Avenue
4
Turn right onto US 20; US 71
73 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
US 20; US 71
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
6
Merge onto I 35
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
8
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
9
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
10
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
11
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
12
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, ensure your tank is adequately filled before leaving Sac City. The longest stretch without a major town is 72.6 miles on US 20, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment if needed. Your primary highways are US 20 and I-35, so keep an eye on signage for these routes as you proceed.
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 63.3 miles from Sac City, IA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.6 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 14m 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
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 Sac 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 Sac City, IA
This is one driving day of about 126.6 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Sac 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 72.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.3 mi from Sac City, IA · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Sac City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.6 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
$19.79 one way
$39.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.73 | $43.46 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.36 | $48.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.72 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Late night in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
12:15 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 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 Sac City, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 126.6 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35, East 1st 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 63.3 miles from Sac City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.79 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 27m 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 (North 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Sac City, 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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