Origin
Springville, IA
Afternoon in Springville on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springville, IA to Ankeny, IA
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
126.7 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springville, IA
Tom Fisk
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Springville to Ankeny, you are looking at a 126.7-mile journey across the Iowa heartland. Expect the drive to take approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it is an affordable way to traverse the Midwest. While you could break this up with an overnight stay, the duration is manageable enough to tackle in one go. You will navigate via the Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, and 73rd Street, providing a direct connection between these two locations. This route offers a straightforward, practical link across the state.
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
63.4 miles from Springville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, so stay alert behind the wheel. Only 13% of your journey is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads and varied street layouts. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on the Lincoln Highway, which lasts for 37.3 miles. Because of the frequent turns, the drive feels much more engaged and active than a standard interstate cruise. Expect the road's personality to shift as you transition between rural stretches and the more winding local sections.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near John Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 13 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 (John Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (CR X20 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
|
John Street
Turn left onto John Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR X20 / 6th Street
Turn left onto CR X20 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
5
23 mi into trip
|
~29m 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
87.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m 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
126.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Springville, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
23 mi in
|
~29m
Des Moines
87.7 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37.3 mi | 43m |
| Marshalltown Boulevard | 28.2 mi | 32m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| IA 100 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 8.5 mi | 13m |
| Dubuque Road | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| East 1st Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springville, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Water Street
56 ft
·
7 sec
·
Water Street
2
Turn left onto John Street
202 ft
·
14 sec
·
John Street
3
Turn left onto CR X20
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Broadway Street
4
Turn right onto CR X20
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
1st Avenue
5
Turn left onto CR X20
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
6th Street
6
Continue on CR X20
416 ft
·
9 sec
·
Springville Road
7
Turn right onto US 151
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Dubuque Road
8
Continue on US 151
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Marion Airport Road
9
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
10
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi
·
18 min
·
IA 100
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
12
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
13
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
14
Continue on US 30
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Lincoln Highway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
16
Turn left onto IA 330
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Marshalltown Boulevard
17
Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Northeast 94th Avenue
18
Continue on East 1st Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 1st Street
19
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
20
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
21
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, but planning for at least one stop will help you stay fresh on the road. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between the Lincoln Highway and the local street segments, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires constant attention. Budgeting $19 for fuel should cover your needs, though it is always wise to keep an eye on your gauge during the 37.3-mile stretch on the Lincoln Highway. Because the route is relatively short, you can easily adapt your pace to fit your schedule. Use the single recommended stop to stretch your legs and break up the 2-hour and 35-minute drive comfortably.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.4 miles from Springville, IA, or about 1h 16m 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.4 miles or 1h 16m 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 3m
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 Springville, 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 Springville, IA
This is one driving day of about 126.7 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Springville, 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 63.4 mi from Springville, IA · 1h 16m 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.4 miles from Springville, 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
$19.24 one way
$38.49 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $21.21 | $42.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $23.92 | $47.84 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
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, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.30 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.74 | $8.11 |
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
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
63 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 35m 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 Springville, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 126.7 miles and takes about 2h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, Marshalltown Boulevard, 73rd Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.4 miles from Springville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.24 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 35m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (John Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (CR X20 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Springville, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
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