Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
34m
Distance
22.8 mi
37 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waukee, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 22.8-mile drive from Waukee to Ankeny, Iowa, is easily manageable in about 34 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With a modest fuel cost of around $4, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes I-80 for a significant portion, interspersed with local roads like Hickman Road and Northwest 2nd Street. Given its short duration and minimal expense, there's no need to split this trip or plan for an overnight stay. It offers a practical way to travel between two points in the same state without significant disruption to your day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
11.4 miles from Waukee, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 43% of the journey taking place on the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 9.8 miles on I-80, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. As you transition from the interstate to local roads, the environment will shift, requiring you to adjust to different traffic patterns and speed limits. This blend of highway and surface street driving means you'll experience varying road conditions and surroundings as you make your way from Waukee to Ankeny.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR R22 / 6th Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.8 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR R22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 6 / Hickman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto CR R22 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 6 / Hickman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I-35 north, I-80 east
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward IA 415: Polk City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Hickman Road | 5.7 mi | 9m |
| Northwest 2nd Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Southwest State Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Southwest Ordnance Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ashworth Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waukee, IA and Ankeny, IA.
Start on Ashworth Drive
Turn right onto CR R22
Turn right onto US 6
Turn left
Merge onto I 80; I 35
Take the exit
Turn left onto IA 415
Continue on IA 415
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
Arrive at destination
For this short 22.8-mile trip, flexibility is your best friend. You can depart at any time, but leaving during non-peak hours will ensure a smoother transition from I-80 to local roads. With a total duration of only 34 minutes and a fuel cost of approximately $4, extensive planning isn't necessary. However, be mindful of the shift in road types as you exit I-80; anticipating potential traffic on Hickman Road or Northwest 2nd Street can help you maintain your schedule. There are no designated stops on this route, so plan any necessary breaks before you depart or upon arrival in Ankeny.
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.
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 22.8 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.4 miles or 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ankeny, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Waukee, 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 Waukee, IA
This is one driving day of about 22.8 miles and 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.4 mi from Waukee, IA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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.
A short stop after about 22.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 11.4 miles from Waukee, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$3.56 one way
$7.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.91 | $7.83 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.39 | $8.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.03 | $10.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
| Efficient EV | 5.7 | 0 | $1.99 | $0.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Waukee on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Ankeny on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Waukee, IA or browse trips ending in Ankeny, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Waukee, IA or Ankeny, IA on MapSof.net.