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Trip from Ankeny, IA to Marengo, 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 50m

Distance

91.6 mi

147 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 43m ★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m

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 and county of Iowa County, Iowa, United States

Marengo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 91.6-mile drive from Ankeny, IA, to Marengo, IA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be accomplished in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, this route primarily utilizes major highways, making it efficient for travelers. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape throughout. This highway-focused drive is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss transit between these two Iowa towns.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

45.8 miles from Ankeny, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 64 mi 1h 9m
380th Avenue 15.4 mi 21m
I 35 4.8 mi 5m
220th Street 3.6 mi 5m
West 1st Street 1.4 mi 3m
Western Avenue 0.6 mi <1m
West Marion Street 0.2 mi <1m
Southwest Walnut Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 64 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Marengo, 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 137A Toward I 80 East: Davenport
8

Merge onto I 80

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · I 80
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward IA 21: Belle Plain, What Cheer
10

Turn right onto IA 21

3.6 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
11

Turn right onto US 6

15 mi · 21 min · 380th Avenue
12

Turn left onto IA 212

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Western Avenue
13

Turn right onto West Marion Street

0.2 mi · 47 sec · West Marion Street
14

Turn left

135 ft · 10 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 50-minute duration, this route offers great flexibility; you can leave whenever suits your schedule. Plan for your longest stretch of 64 miles on I-80 and consider a brief stop before or during that segment if needed. With a fuel cost of around $14, you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the 64-mile I-80 stretch, as it's the most substantial period without potential exits for services.

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 45.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64 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 20 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.8 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 Marengo, 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 91.6 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 64 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Newton, IA

46 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

Altoona, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Newton, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.8 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 I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64 miles.

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.

Top Restaurant

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

Casa Magnolia

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marengo, Iowa

0.2 mi

Lucky 6 Lanes

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marengo, Iowa

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Brewed + Bronzed Boutique

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marengo, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 91.6

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13197415241

Visit website

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

Casa Magnolia

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 91.6

Marengo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13197412060

Lucky 6 Lanes

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 91.6

Marengo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196427722

Visit website

DK'S Eatery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 91.6

Marengo, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+13197415005

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

Casey's

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.6

Marengo, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13193877037

Visit website

Cafe at the Meadows

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.1

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15159573539

Visit website

Brick Street Cafe, Bondurant, IA

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.1

Bondurant, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15159676174

Visit website

Brewed + Bronzed Boutique

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 91.6

Marengo, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+13197415241

Visit website

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 6.5

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Saints Rest Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 52.3

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16412366014

Visit website

Comeback Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 52.3

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16412360176

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 52.3

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 72

Brooklyn, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

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

$14.32 one way

$28.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.72 $31.45
premium $4.89 $17.63 $35.26
diesel $5.61 $20.22 $40.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 32 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.5 0 $9.62 $4.40
Efficient EV 22.9 0 $8.01 $3.66
EV Truck/SUV 36.6 0 $12.82 $5.86

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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

Late night in Ankeny on Sunday

Local time

1:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Marengo, IA

Late night in Marengo on Sunday

Local time

1:02 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Newton, IA

46 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

2 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

1h 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 drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the journey on major roads like I-80 and I-35. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 64 miles on I-80, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the route includes some sections on roads like 380th Avenue, the overall character is that of efficient transit. This road profile suggests a drive where you can maintain steady speed for extended periods, minimizing deviations and maximizing forward progress.

75% 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: 64 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and 380th Avenue. You will hit about 12 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 91.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 Marengo, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and What Cheer.

Council Bluffs

6.6 mi in | ~9m | via I 35

Davenport

6.6 mi in | ~9m | via I 35

What Cheer

71.6 mi in | ~1h 21m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 91.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 64 miles on I 80. 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 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 Marengo, 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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