Ankeny to Algona is 127.6 miles and takes about 2h 39m via I 35 and US 169/20, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically crossing through Iowa. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that should be manageable for a single day. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, you'll find this route offers efficiency for getting from point A to point B.
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
63.8 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
49.6 mi
53m
US 169
43.5 mi
1h 1m
US 20
31.2 mi
35m
West 1st Street
1.5 mi
3m
East McGregor Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Jones Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Southwest 3rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 49.6 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Algona, IA.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft·4 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Southwest Walnut Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.5 mi·3 min·West 1st Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
5
Merge onto I 35
50 mi·53 min·I 35
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
7
Merge onto US 20
31 mi·35 min·US 20
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward US 169
9
Turn right onto US 169
44 mi·1 hr 1 min·US 169
10
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·East McGregor Street
11
Turn right onto South Jones Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·South Jones Street
12
Arrive at destination
US 169
Trip Plan
Given the short drive time of under 3 hours, you have plenty of flexibility for departure. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Algona with most of the day still ahead. While the route is efficient, be aware that the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 50 miles on I 35, so plan any brief breaks accordingly. With a fuel cost estimate of just $20, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your gauge, especially before heading onto the longer highway segments.
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 63.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.6 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.8 miles or 1h 13m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ankeny, 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 Ankeny, IA
This is one driving day of about 127.6 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Ankeny, 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 I 35 for about 49.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Southwest Walnut Street
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|West 1st Street
At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
51.6 mi into trip|~58m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
4
83.1 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 169
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 169
4
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|East McGregor Street
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.95 one way
$39.90 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.90
$43.81
premium
$4.89
$24.56
$49.11
diesel
$5.61
$28.17
$56.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.3
0
$13.40
$6.12
Efficient EV
31.9
0
$11.17
$5.10
EV Truck/SUV
51
0
$17.86
$8.17
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Ankeny, IA
Late night
in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Sunny
WNW 13 to 21 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Algona, IA
Late night
in Algona on Sunday
Local time
2:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
2h 39m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll spend most of your time on I 35, experiencing the longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.6 miles on this interstate. As you transition to US 169 and US 20, the character remains largely highway-based, offering a consistent driving experience. Expect a predictable journey with minimal technical driving, suitable for those prioritizing speed and directness.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.6 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 169. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 39m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 127.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 49.6 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Algona, IA before heading back.
