Ankeny to Kalona is 120.5 miles and takes about 2h 26m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across the heart of the Midwest, staying within Iowa the entire time. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it an easy option for a single-day excursion. With a relatively short duration and a modest fuel cost, this route is a practical choice for a quick getaway or a convenient way to connect these two Iowa communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.3 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
92.7 mi
1h 39m
Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
5.8 mi
10m
I 35
4.8 mi
5m
Highway 1 Southwest
4 mi
5m
Black Diamond Road Southwest
3.3 mi
5m
Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
2.8 mi
5m
500th Street Southwest
1.8 mi
3m
West 1st Street
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 92.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Kalona, 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
93 mi·1 hr 39 min·I 80
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward CR W38: Oxford, Kalona Village Museum
10
Turn left onto CR W38
2.9 mi·5 min·Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
11
Keep slight right at fork onto CR W38
2.9 mi·5 min·Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
12
At end of road, turn left onto CR F52; CR W38
3.3 mi·5 min·Black Diamond Road Southwest
13
Turn right onto Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
2.8 mi·5 min·Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
14
At end of road, turn left onto CR F62
1.8 mi·3 min·500th Street Southwest
15
Turn right onto IA 1
4.0 mi·5 min·Highway 1 Southwest
16
Continue on IA 1
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 1
17
Continue on IA 1
0.6 mi·57 sec·1st Street
18
Turn left onto IA 22
0.4 mi·40 sec·East Avenue
19
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.2 mi·49 sec·5th Street
20
Turn left onto B Avenue
36 ft·1 sec·B Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
B Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 26m driving time, you can easily complete this trip in one day, so consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight. The longest stretch on I 80 is over 90 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before that segment. While there are no specified stops, keeping your fuel tank at least half full is a good general practice for highway driving. The $19 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting this efficient, same-day journey.
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 60.3 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.7 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kalona, 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 120.5 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 92.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 6.8 — 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
5
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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...
5
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.84 one way
$37.68 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.68
$41.37
premium
$4.89
$23.19
$46.38
diesel
$5.61
$26.60
$53.21
Estimated Tolls: $0.20
Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
(2.8 mi)$0.20
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.2 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
36.2
0
$12.65
$5.78
Efficient EV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
EV Truck/SUV
48.2
0
$16.87
$7.71
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ankeny, IA
Night
in Ankeny on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kalona, IA
Night
in Kalona on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Brooklyn, IA
60 mi in
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
19 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 26m 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?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 88% of the 120.5 miles spent on major highways like I 80 and I 35. You'll encounter a long stretch of 92.7 miles on I 80, offering a consistent pace. Expect a smooth, relatively fast journey for the majority of the trip, with Black Hawk Avenue Southwest providing a brief change of pace before reaching your destination. This route prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and Black Hawk Avenue Southwest. You will hit about 17 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 Effort6/10
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 120.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 1.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Kalona, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Cr W38: Oxford and Kalona Village Museum.
Council Bluffs
6.6 mi in|~9m|via I 35
Davenport
6.6 mi in|~9m|via I 35
Cr W38: Oxford
100.3 mi in|~1h 52m
Kalona Village Museum
100.3 mi in|~1h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 120.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.20 in tolls one way, starting with Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Kalona, 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 1.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kalona, IA before heading back.
