Trip from Ankeny, IA to Carter Lake, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

146.7 mi

236 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 39m ★

6 AM

2h 50m

8 AM

3h 12m

10 AM

2h 58m

12 PM

2h 56m

3 PM

2h 59m

5 PM

3h 11m

8 PM

2h 44m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Carter Lake, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a 1-day trip from Ankeny, IA to Carter Lake, IA? This 146.7-mile journey will take approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's an affordable option for a short getaway. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Southwest Walnut Street, Southwest Ordnance Road, and Southwest State Street, indicating a more involved driving experience rather than a direct highway cruise. As both your origin and destination are within the Midwest, you'll remain in familiar territory throughout this drive. This trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.

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

73.3 miles from Ankeny, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	130.5 mi	2h 21m
I 80 Local	2.9 mi	3m
Northwest 2nd Street	2.6 mi	3m
Southwest State Street	2.5 mi	4m
I 29	2 mi	2m
US 6	1.7 mi	2m
North 11th Street	1.1 mi	2m
Southwest Ordnance Road	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 130.5 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

At end of road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

Turn left onto Southwest State Street

2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

Continue on IA 415

2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 2nd Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Merge onto I 80; I 35

11 mi · 12 min · I 80; I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

96 mi · 1 hr 42 min · I 80

Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

24 mi · 25 min · I 80

Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 80 Local; US 6

Exit 4B Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 29; US 6

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 29; US 6

Toward I 29 North: Sioux City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 6

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 6

Toward I 480 West, US 6 West

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 3 Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

Turn right onto North 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 14th Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Izard Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Izard Street

Continue on North 11th Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · North 11th Street

Turn right onto East Locust Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Locust Street

Turn left onto North 9th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 9th Street

Arrive at destination

North 9th Street

Trip Plan

Since this trip clocks in at under three hours, you have considerable flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in Ankeny and to have a relaxed start. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local driving can sometimes consume fuel more quickly than highway cruising, and your estimated fuel cost is $22. A practical tip for this route: pay close attention to posted speed limits, as they can vary frequently on local roads, especially as you transition between different areas.

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 73.3 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.5 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 32 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.3 miles or 1h 24m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carter Lake, 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 146.7 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 80 for about 130.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

73 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

Adel, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.3 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 I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.5 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

De Soto, Iowa

0.4 mi

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Walnut, Iowa

0.7 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

First break · 24min in 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

2.4 mi

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

2.5 mi

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

De Soto, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Flame The Taqueria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Johnston, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15157238934

Visit website

Early Bird West Des Moines

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15155282212

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

Visit website

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15154109494

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Café Postale

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Closed

+14022845019

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

De Soto, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

2.1 mi from route

Casey's Truck Stop

2.4 mi from route

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

Visit website

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 143.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Southwest Ordnance Road

At end of road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

Navigation decision point

18 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha

113.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...

137.2 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 80 Local; US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6 toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4B Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Blu...

143.7 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

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

Exit 3 Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creigh...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.93 one way

$45.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$25.18	$50.36
premium	$4.89	$28.23	$56.46
diesel	$5.61	$32.39	$64.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44	$15.40	$7.04
Efficient EV	36.7	$12.84	$5.87
EV Truck/SUV	58.7	$20.54	$9.39

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

Ankeny, IA

Late night in Ankeny on Tuesday

Local time

4:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carter Lake, IA

Late night in Carter Lake on Tuesday

Local time

4:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

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

2h 50m 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 turn-heavy local drive for this 146.7-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You'll be navigating primarily through city streets and local thoroughfares, making it a more engaging experience behind the wheel. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests frequent turns and changes in direction. This type of drive often means passing through various neighborhoods and local business districts, offering a grounded perspective of the areas you're traversing. Be prepared for a dynamic journey that requires your attention to local road conditions and traffic.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 130.5 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 80 Local. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near Southwest Ordnance Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 146.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.4 miles (Southwest Ordnance Road): Navigation decision point; at 18 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.5 miles (I 80): 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.

On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Carter Lake, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Omaha Nebraska along the way.

Omaha Nebraska

113.5 mi in | ~2h 8m | via I 80

About the Cities

Starting in Ankeny, IA

Full guide →

Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines in Central Iowa.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 146.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 130.5 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 Carter Lake, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Carter Lake, 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.

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

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Trip from Ankeny, IA to Carter Lake, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Ankeny Cafe

Playgrounds Cafe

Ankeny Cafe

Ambro's Roadhouse

The Backfield Bar & Grill

Flame The Taqueria

Early Bird West Des Moines

Cafe Diem

Tullpa Restaurant

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

Playgrounds Cafe

Hyper Energy Bar

Hyper Energy Bar

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

Café Postale

Life Cafe

SweetDude Coffee & Café

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Sapp Brothers Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J - Avoca

Love's

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Service Plaza

Casey's Truck Stop

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

The Old Market

Museum Of Shadows

Lake Manawa State Park

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ankeny, IA

Carter Lake, IA

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 50m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Ankeny, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

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