Trip from Washington, IA to Ankeny, IA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

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

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Washington, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

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 .

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Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

IA 163 is the longest continuous segment at about 51.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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

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

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

120.7 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | Southwest 3rd Street

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

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.

Start on South Marion Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Marion Avenue

Turn left onto West 5th Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · West 5th Street

Turn right onto IA 1; IA 92

2.0 mi · 2 min · IA 1; IA 92

Turn left onto IA 92

25 mi · 36 min · State Highway 92

Continue on IA 92; IA 149

8.4 mi · 11 min · East Jackson Street

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 42 sec

Continue on IA 92

14 mi · 20 min · IA-92

Continue on IA 92

3.0 mi · 5 min · A Avenue East

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Merge onto IA 163

52 mi · 1 hr · IA 163

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Merge onto US 65

3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · this road

Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · this road

Exit 137B Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis

Merge onto I 35

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 35

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward 1st Street

Keep slight left at fork

256 ft · 8 sec

Toward High Trestle Trail Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto East 1st Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

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 80 miles or 1h 51m 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 80 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.3 mi from Washington, IA · 1h 28m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Indiana, IA

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

Indiana, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Indiana, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.3 miles from Washington, 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

$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	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36.2	$12.67	$5.79
Efficient EV	30.2	$10.56	$4.83
EV Truck/SUV	48.3	$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.

Forecast data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

Washington, IA

Late night in Washington on Wednesday

Local time

5:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ankeny, IA

Late night in Ankeny on Wednesday

Local time

5:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Indiana, IA

60 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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Washington, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 120.7 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are IA 163, State Highway 92, IA-92. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 60.3 miles from Washington, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.87 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.

The route from Washington, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Ankeny, IA to Washington, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

121.4 mi 2h 44m

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Trip from Washington, IA to Ankeny, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ankeny, IA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Washington, IA

Ankeny, IA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 42m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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