Origin
Story City, IA
Late night in Story City on Thursday
Local time
12:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Story City, IA to Ankeny, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
41m
Distance
34.7 mi
56 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Story City, IA
Kelly
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion between Story City and Ankeny, you will find this 34.7-mile connection straightforward and efficient. Lasting roughly 41 minutes, the journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, this route is an economical choice for travelers navigating the Iowa landscape. Because both towns are situated within the Midwest, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a brief visit, the lack of necessary stops makes this a highly manageable drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
17.4 miles from Story City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 90% of your travel takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-35, which accounts for a 31.2-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. This interstate segment dominates the route, offering a consistent pace before you transition to local roads like East 1st Street and Broad Street as you approach your destination. The drive feels utilitarian and direct rather than winding or scenic, making it an ideal choice if you prioritize speed and efficiency over leisurely backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,058 ft
873 ft
Total Climb
278 ft
Total Descent
292 ft
Highest Point
1,058 ft
~8.7 mi in
Elevation Range
185 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and East 1st Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR E15 / Broad Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 41m drive. You will face about 7 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 (CR E15 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
|
CR E15 / Broad Street
Turn left onto CR E15 / Broad Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
32.8 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
5
33.1 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
34.7 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 31.2 mi | 33m |
| East 1st Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Broad Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Pennsylvania Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Southwest 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 31.2 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Story City, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Pennsylvania Avenue
51 ft
·
7 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR E15
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Broad Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I-35 south: Des Moines
4
Merge onto I 35
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
6
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft
·
9 sec
7
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
8
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
9
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
10
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though I-35 can be busy depending on the hour. You won't need to worry about planning formal rest breaks given the 41-minute duration, allowing you to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before you leave, as the $5 cost estimate assumes a standard efficient vehicle. To make your journey as smooth as possible, pay close attention to local signage when exiting the interstate to navigate onto Broad Street and East 1st Street effectively.
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 17.4 miles from Story City, IA, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.2 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 34.7 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.4 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ankeny, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Story City, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Story City, IA
This is one driving day of about 34.7 miles and 41m.
At 34.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 31.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.4 mi from Story City, IA · 20m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from Story City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ankeny, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ankeny, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.42 one way
$10.85 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.96 | $11.91 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.68 | $13.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.66 | $15.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.67 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.86 | $2.22 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Late night in Ankeny on Thursday
Local time
12:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
41m 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 Story City, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 34.7 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, East 1st Street, Broad 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 17.4 miles from Story City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.42 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 41m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR E15 / Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Story City, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 873 ft to 1,058 ft elevation with about 278 ft of total climbing.
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