Origin
Williamsburg, IA
Morning in Williamsburg on Friday
Local time
8:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williamsburg, 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
1h 44m
Distance
90.9 mi
146 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamsburg, IA
Phil Evenden
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Williamsburg, IA to Ankeny, IA is 90.9 miles and takes about 1h 44m via I 80 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a short trip, ideal for a single day of travel, and you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to get from Williamsburg to Ankeny without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.5 miles from Williamsburg, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 90.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 95% of the drive on major interstates like I 80 and I 35. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 80.4 miles on I 80, which means consistent speeds and minimal distractions. The character of the drive is primarily that of a modern interstate journey, designed for efficient travel across the state of Iowa. Expect smooth pavement and well-maintained infrastructure throughout.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 80.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Welsh 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 90.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 (West Welsh Street): Navigation decision point; at 82.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
|
West Welsh Street
Turn left onto West Welsh Street
Navigation decision point
7
82.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
84.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
89.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
90.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 80.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| I 35 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| East 1st Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 149 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South Highland Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Walnut Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Welsh Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 80.4 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamsburg, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Court Street
142 ft
·
11 sec
·
Court Street
2
Turn left onto West Welsh Street
399 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Welsh Street
3
Turn left onto IA 149
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Highland Street
4
Continue on IA 149
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 149
5
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
I 80
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
10
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward 1st Street
12
Keep slight left at fork
256 ft
·
8 sec
Toward High Trestle Trail
Use the left lane.
13
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
14
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
15
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
16
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 44 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving anytime after morning rush hour should allow for a smooth arrival. Since the longest stretch is over 80 miles, plan for a brief stop around the halfway point for a stretch or to refuel if needed, though at $14 total fuel cost, it's an economical trip. Keep an eye on signs for I 35 North as you approach Des Moines; this is your key transition to reach Ankeny efficiently.
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 45.5 miles from Williamsburg, IA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.4 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 20 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.5 miles or 50m 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 21m
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 Williamsburg, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Williamsburg, IA
This is one driving day of about 90.9 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Williamsburg, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 80.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.5 mi from Williamsburg, IA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.5 miles from Williamsburg, 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 80.4 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.21 one way
$28.42 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.60 | $31.21 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.49 | $34.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.07 | $40.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.54 | $4.36 |
| Efficient EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.73 | $5.82 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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
8:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Newton, IA
45 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 44m 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 Williamsburg, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 90.9 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 35, East 1st 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 45.5 miles from Williamsburg, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.21 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 90.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 (West Welsh Street): Navigation decision point; at 82.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.2 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Williamsburg, 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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