Origin
Wellman, IA
Morning in Wellman on Friday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wellman, IA to Ankeny, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
116.7 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wellman, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Wellman to Ankeny, you should prepare for a journey spanning 113.6 miles across the Iowa countryside. This trip typically takes about 1 hour and 57 minutes to complete, making it a perfectly manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via local roads like 2nd Street, 9th Avenue, and 6th Street rather than major interstates. Budgeting around $17 for fuel will cover your gas expenses for the trek. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar regional atmosphere throughout your transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.4 miles from Wellman, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 116.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface streets and local connectors for the duration of the trip. The road personality is defined by its technical nature rather than high-speed cruising, requiring your full attention as you transition between local routes. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, the pace remains steady and consistent from start to finish. You should anticipate a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over open-road speed.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 77.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and State Highway 22. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2nd Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IA 22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street
Turn right onto 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 22 / 6th Street
Turn left onto IA 22 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
7
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
110 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m 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
115 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 77.5 mi | 1h 23m |
| State Highway 22 | 12.8 mi | 18m |
| M Avenue | 11.9 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 149 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| I 35 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| East 1st Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 9th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 77.5 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wellman, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on this road
135 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 2nd Street
165 ft
·
8 sec
·
2nd Street
3
Turn right onto 9th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
9th Avenue
4
Turn left onto IA 22
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
6th Street
5
Continue on IA 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 22
6
Continue on IA 22
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
7
Turn right onto IA 149
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 149
8
Continue on IA 149
12 mi
·
16 min
·
M Avenue
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
10
Merge onto I 80
77 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 80
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
13
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
14
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward 1st Street
16
Keep slight left at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward High Trestle Trail
Use the left lane.
17
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
18
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
19
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
20
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With no mandatory stops required to cover the 113.6 miles, you can complete the journey in one continuous stretch if you prefer. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between 2nd Street, 9th Avenue, and 6th Street, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires careful attention to signage. Since you aren't relying on major highways, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as local roads may offer fewer immediate service station options than a standard interstate corridor. The absence of long, high-speed segments allows you to maintain a relaxed pace throughout your travel day.
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 58.4 miles from Wellman, IA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.5 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 26 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.4 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
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 Wellman, 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 Wellman, IA
This is one driving day of about 116.7 miles and 2h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Wellman, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 77.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.4 mi from Wellman, IA · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.4 miles from Wellman, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.5 miles.
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
$18.24 one way
$36.49 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.03 | $40.06 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.46 | $44.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.77 | $51.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Morning in Ankeny on Friday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Brooklyn, IA
58 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
19 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 22m 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 Wellman, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 116.7 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, State Highway 22, M Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.4 miles from Wellman, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.24 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (IA 22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 108.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Wellman, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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