Trip from Ankeny, IA to Aplington, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 59m

Distance

96.8 mi

156 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 51m ★

6 AM

2h 0m

8 AM

2h 17m

10 AM

2h 6m

12 PM

2h 4m

3 PM

2h 6m

5 PM

2h 16m

8 PM

1h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Aplington, IA

Ann H

Trip Overview

This 96.8-mile drive from Ankeny, IA, to Aplington, IA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in under two hours, making it a perfect day trip. Primarily utilizing I-35 and US-20, the route is heavily highway-focused, accounting for 85% of the drive. With an estimated fuel cost of around $15, this trip is quite budget-friendly. You'll be staying within the Midwest region for this entire excursion. Given its short duration and highway profile, this route is ideal for a quick, efficient transit between these two Iowa locations without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.4 miles from Ankeny, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	49.3 mi	53m
US 20	27.2 mi	31m
County Highway S56	6.3 mi	11m
IA 57	5.7 mi	8m
West Brook Street	3.5 mi	5m
West 1st Street	1.5 mi	3m
Hardin Street	1 mi	1m
Butler Street	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 49.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Aplington, IA.

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto I 35

49 mi · 53 min · I 35

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 20 East: Waterloo

Merge onto US 20

27 mi · 31 min · US 20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 59 sec

Toward CR S56: Ackley, Eldora

Turn left onto County Highway S56

6.3 mi · 11 min · County Highway S56

Continue on Butler Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Butler Street

Keep slight right at fork onto Butler Street

431 ft · 8 sec · Butler Street

Turn straight onto IA 57

1.0 mi · 1 min · Hardin Street

Continue on IA 57

3.5 mi · 5 min · West Brook Street

Turn straight onto IA 57

5.7 mi · 8 min · IA 57

Arrive at destination

IA 57

Trip Plan

This 1-hour and 59-minute drive is short enough to allow for maximum flexibility; you can depart whenever is most convenient. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before departing Ankeny. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 49.3 miles on I-35, so plan for any personal needs before embarking on that segment. Given the predominantly highway nature, simply follow the signs for I-35 North, then US-20 East, and finally County Highway S56 to reach Aplington 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 48.4 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.3 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 21 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48.4 miles or 55m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aplington, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ankeny, IA

This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Ankeny, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 49.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Story City, IA

48 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Story City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 20.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Love A Latte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.1

Eldora, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16419397780

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 20.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 20.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 20.7

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 13.8

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 79.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Southwest Walnut Street

Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | West 1st Street

At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street

Navigation decision point

51.3 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 20 East: Waterloo

79 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward CR S56: Ackley, Eldora

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CR S56: Ackley, Eldora

79.4 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | County Highway S56

Turn left onto County Highway S56

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.13 one way

$30.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$16.62	$33.23
premium	$4.89	$18.63	$37.26
diesel	$5.61	$21.37	$42.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	29	$10.16	$4.65
Efficient EV	24.2	$8.47	$3.87
EV Truck/SUV	38.7	$13.55	$6.20

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Ankeny, IA

Late night in Ankeny on Sunday

Local time

2:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aplington, IA

Late night in Aplington on Sunday

Local time

2:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

23 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 59m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 96.8-mile trip, with 85% of the journey on major roads like I-35 and US-20. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.3 miles on I-35, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While much of the drive will be on high-speed interstates, you'll also navigate sections of US-20 and County Highway S56, which may offer a slight change of scenery as you progress toward Aplington. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than winding country lanes.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 49.3 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 20. 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 Southwest Walnut Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 96.8 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 (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Ankeny, IA and Aplington, IA, road signs point toward Cr S56: Ackley and Eldora.

Cr S56: Ackley

79 mi in | ~1h 30m

Eldora

79 mi in | ~1h 30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.3 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aplington, IA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Ankeny, IA or browse trips ending in Aplington, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Ankeny, IA to Aplington, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Love A Latte

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Discover Ames

Center Grove Orchard

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ankeny, IA

Aplington, IA

Same local time

23 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 59m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Aplington, IA

More from Ankeny, IA

More trips to Aplington, IA