Origin
Winterset, IA
Afternoon in Winterset on Wednesday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
54m
Distance
46.6 mi
75 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Winterset, IA
Tom Fisk
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 46.6 miles and takes about 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South John Wayne Drive, I 35, IA 415 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.29 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
23.3 miles from Winterset, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 54m drive with frequent turns across 46.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South John Wayne Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South John Wayne Drive | — | — |
| I 35 | — | — |
| IA 415 | — | — |
| Northwest 2nd Street | — | — |
| Southwest State Street | — | — |
| Southwest Ordnance Road | — | — |
| Southwest Walnut Street | — | — |
| Southwest 3rd Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South John Wayne Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winterset, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on West Grade Street
125 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Grade Street
2
Turn left onto South John Wayne Drive
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South John Wayne Drive
3
Continue straight
11 mi
·
15 min
4
Take the ramp right
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
5
Merge slight left
12 mi
·
13 min
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
IA 415: Polk City
8
Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
9
Continue on Southwest State Street
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Southwest State Street
10
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Ordnance Road
11
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Walnut Street
12
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
49 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 23.3 miles from Winterset, IA, or about 27m into the drive.
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 10 miles or 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.3 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ankeny, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Winterset, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Winterset, IA
This is one driving day of about 46.6 miles and 54m.
At 46.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.3 mi from Winterset, IA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.3 miles from Winterset, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ankeny, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ankeny, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.29 one way
$14.57 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.97 | $17.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.29 | $20.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.52 | $2.98 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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 Wednesday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
54m 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 Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA covers 46.6 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South John Wayne Drive, I 35, IA 415. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.3 miles from Winterset, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.29 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.
The drive from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Winterset, IA to Ankeny, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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