If you are planning a quick excursion through the Iowa Midwest, the 81.9-mile journey from Ankeny to Belle Plaine is a straightforward trek. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 43 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $12, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops. You will navigate via Northeast Hubbell Road, Northeast 94th Avenue, and the Lincoln Highway. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a more hands-on experience than a standard interstate commute, so plan your schedule accordingly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.9 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37 mi
42m
Northeast Hubbell Road
28 mi
32m
Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
13m
IA 21
5.2 mi
7m
West 1st Street
1.8 mi
4m
73rd Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Southwest 3rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Belle Plaine, 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
1.8 mi·4 min·West 1st Street
4
Continue on Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi·13 min·Northeast 94th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
28 mi·32 min·Northeast Hubbell Road
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
7
Merge onto US 30
37 mi·42 min·Lincoln Highway
8
Continue on US 30
0.4 mi·29 sec·73rd Street
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
10
Turn right onto IA 21
5.2 mi·7 min·IA 21
11
Turn right onto IA 21
45 ft·0 sec·7th Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
IA 21
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows, though driving during daylight hours is best given the turn-heavy nature of the route. You won't need to plan for formal stops, as the entire 81.9-mile distance is manageable in one go. Keep your gas tank in mind before heading out to ensure you stay within your $12 fuel estimate, as local roads may offer fewer service options than major interstates. A concrete tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant for changing speed limits and signage along the Lincoln Highway. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by keeping a steady pace throughout the duration of the drive.
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 40.9 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 18 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.9 miles or 53m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belle Plaine, 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 81.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 81.9 — 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
38.4 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
38.9 mi into trip|~51m in|US 30 / Lincoln Highway
Merge onto US 30 / Lincoln Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|IA 21 / 7th Avenue
Turn right onto IA 21 / 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.80 one way
$25.61 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$14.06
$28.12
premium
$4.89
$15.76
$31.52
diesel
$5.61
$18.08
$36.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.6
0
$8.60
$3.93
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.17
$3.28
EV Truck/SUV
32.8
0
$11.47
$5.24
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon
in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Belle Plaine, IA
Afternoon
in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
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
22 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 43m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed transit, as only 6% of this trip consists of highway travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time navigating secondary paths, keeping your focus sharp through constant turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 37-mile segment on the Lincoln Highway. This is not a monotonous interstate grind; instead, it is a localized experience that demands your attention as you wind your way toward your destination. Expect the road conditions to shift frequently as you transition from the suburban feel of Ankeny into the rural landscape.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Belle Plaine, IA is easy. At 1h 43m with 6% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The longest stretch is about 37 miles on Lincoln Highway. 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.
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 38.4 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 Belle Plaine, IA before heading back.
