This 115.6-mile journey from Ankeny, IA to Bloomfield, IA will take you about 2 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, this drive is characterized by its frequent turns, offering a distinctly local feel rather than an open highway experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. You'll navigate via Southwest Walnut Street and West 1st Street before merging onto I-35 South for a portion of the trip. This route is ideal if you prefer a more engaged driving experience with plenty of opportunities to adjust your direction.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.8 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East University Avenue
73.9 mi
1h 25m
US 63
17.6 mi
20m
I 35
4.8 mi
5m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi
4m
South Wapello Street
2.8 mi
3m
Old US Highway 63
2.6 mi
3m
I 80
2.6 mi
2m
Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
East University Avenue
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Bloomfield, 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
1.4 mi·3 min·West 1st Street
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I-35 south: Des Moines
5
Merge onto I 35
4.7 mi·5 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
0.2 mi·12 sec·I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·2 min
Exit 137AToward I 80 East: Davenport
8
Merge onto I 80
2.6 mi·2 min·I 80
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 141Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi·4 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 79Toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
12
Turn left onto IA 163
3.3 mi·4 min·East University Avenue
13
Continue on IA 163
1.8 mi·2 min·Northeast University Avenue
14
Continue on IA 163
71 mi·1 hr 21 min·East University Avenue
15
Take the exit onto US 63 Business
0.4 mi·47 sec·US 63 Business
16
Turn right onto US 63 Business; IA 149
2.6 mi·3 min·Old US Highway 63
17
Continue on US 63 Business; IA 149
2.8 mi·3 min·South Wapello Street
18
Turn left onto US 34; US 63 Business
1.4 mi·1 min·US 34; US 63 Business
19
Enter roundabout onto US 63
108 ft·1 sec·US 63
20
Continue on US 63
18 mi·20 min·US 63
21
Turn right onto East Jefferson Street
341 ft·6 sec·East Jefferson Street
22
Arrive at destination
East Jefferson Street
Trip Plan
Given the 115.6-mile distance and 2 hour 18 minute estimated drive time, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion from Ankeny to Bloomfield. You can depart anytime, but an early start will give you ample time to explore Bloomfield upon arrival without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $18 estimated cost is based on the total mileage, and local driving can sometimes consume fuel differently. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps in a town along the way if you feel the need to stretch your legs before reaching your destination.
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 57.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.8 miles or 1h 11m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomfield, 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 115.6 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on East University Avenue for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 57.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before East University Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 14.7 — 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
6
6.6 mi into trip|~9m in|I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
8
10.2 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
6
14.7 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79
Toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.07 one way
$36.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.84
$39.69
premium
$4.89
$22.25
$44.49
diesel
$5.61
$25.52
$51.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.11
$4.62
EV Truck/SUV
46.2
0
$16.18
$7.40
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Ankeny, IA
Night
in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 12 to 17 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 4:27PM CDT until April 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 4:26PM CDT until April 17 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Destination
Bloomfield, IA
Night
in Bloomfield on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 18 mph100% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued April 17 at 4:27PM CDT until April 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 4:26PM CDT until April 17 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m 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?
Expect a 'turn-heavy' local drive on this route, with 0% highway share contributing to its engaging, winding nature. You won't encounter long stretches of monotonous interstate; instead, the road will constantly require your attention as you transition between local streets and I-35 South. This dynamic profile means you'll be actively steering and adjusting speed frequently, making the 2 hour and 18 minute duration feel more involved. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't a key feature here, as the character is defined by consistent navigation changes.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on East University Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 115.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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 6.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Bloomfield, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines and Pleasant Hill.
Council Bluffs
6.6 mi in|~9m|via I 35
Davenport
6.6 mi in|~9m|via I 35
Des Moines
10.2 mi in|~15m
Pleasant Hill
14.7 mi in|~20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 115.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on East University Avenue. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Bloomfield, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 6.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bloomfield, IA before heading back.
