Origin
Washington, IA
Afternoon in Washington on Saturday
Local time
12:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Washington, 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 42m
Distance
120.7 mi
194 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 120.7-mile drive from Washington, IA to Ankeny, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical journey through the heart of the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes IA 163 and State Highway 92, offering a straightforward path for most of the distance. Given its relatively short length and focused highway profile, it's an ideal option if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to travel between these two Iowa locations without needing an overnight stay.
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
60.3 miles from Washington, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| IA 163 | 51.9 mi | 1h |
| State Highway 92 | 24.7 mi | 36m |
| IA-92 | 13.8 mi | 20m |
| East Jackson Street | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| I 35 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| A Avenue East | 3 mi | 5m |
| IA 1 | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
IA 163
— 51.9 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on South Marion Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marion Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West 5th Street
3
Turn right onto IA 1; IA 92
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
IA 1; IA 92
4
Turn left onto IA 92
25 mi
·
36 min
·
State Highway 92
5
Continue on IA 92; IA 149
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
East Jackson Street
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
7
Continue on IA 92
14 mi
·
20 min
·
IA-92
8
Continue on IA 92
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
A Avenue East
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
10
Merge onto IA 163
52 mi
·
1 hr
·
IA 163
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
12
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
13
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
14
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
17
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
18
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward 1st Street
20
Keep slight left at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward High Trestle Trail
Use the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
22
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
23
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 42-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility. Leaving in the morning will get you to Ankeny with ample time for the rest of your day. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or skip it entirely if needed. Watch your fuel levels, as the $19 estimated cost suggests it's a moderate expenditure for this 120.7-mile journey. A practical tip: consider checking traffic conditions around Des Moines before you depart, as that area can influence your arrival time even if you don't pass directly through its core.
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 60.3 miles from Washington, IA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.9 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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 28m 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 13m
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 Washington, 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 Washington, IA
This is one driving day of about 120.7 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Washington, 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 IA 163 for about 51.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.3 miles from Washington, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 110.5 and 120.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
110.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
7
112.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
8
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward High Trestle Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward High Trestle Trail
5
120.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.72 | $41.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.23 | $46.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.65 | $53.30 |
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: 42.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.56 | $4.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.90 | $7.72 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Saturday
Local time
12:42 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
1 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 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this 120.7-mile trip, with 81% of the route on main highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 51.9 miles on IA 163, offering a good period of consistent travel. While primarily highway, the inclusion of State Highway 92 means you'll experience a mix of faster-paced driving and potentially slightly more varied road conditions. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than extensive scenic detours.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.9 mi on IA 163.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on IA 163 and State Highway 92. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 110.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 120.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 120.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.9 miles on IA 163. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ankeny, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 110.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 112.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ankeny, IA before heading back.
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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