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Trip from Ankeny, IA to Waterloo, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

117.6 mi

189 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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 Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Waterloo, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 117.6-mile drive from Ankeny, IA to Waterloo, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 18 minutes. The journey primarily utilizes US 20 and I-35, with a small portion on Sergeant Road, making it a heavily highway-focused experience at 94% highway share. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, this route offers an economical way to travel between two points in the Midwest. Given its relatively short distance and efficient road profile, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

58.8 miles from Ankeny, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 60.6 mi 1h 9m
I 35 49.3 mi 53m
Sergeant Road 3.8 mi 5m
West 1st Street 1.5 mi 3m
US 63 0.3 mi <1m
Washington Street 0.2 mi <1m
Southwest Walnut Street 0.2 mi <1m
University Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 60.6 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Waterloo, 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

1.5 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
5

Merge onto I 35

49 mi · 53 min · I 35
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
7

Merge onto US 20

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 20
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
9

Turn slight right

120 ft · 6 sec
10

Turn straight onto US 63

3.8 mi · 5 min · Sergeant Road
Use the left lane.
11

Turn right onto US 63

388 ft · 9 sec · University Avenue
12

Turn straight onto US 63

0.3 mi · 45 sec · US 63
13

Turn right

0.1 mi · 10 sec
14

Continue on Washington Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Washington Street
15

Turn right onto West 4th Street

76 ft · 2 sec · West 4th Street
16

Arrive at destination

West 4th Street

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 18 minute trip, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize your day, especially since there are no designated stops recommended. With a total distance of 117.6 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $18, planning for one fuel stop might be prudent, though likely not essential for this mileage. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the longest stretch of 60.6 miles on US 20, to ensure smooth travel. Since this is a short, highway-centric route, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best.

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 58.8 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 26 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 58.8 miles or 1h 7m 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 Waterloo, 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 117.6 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 60.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city located in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oakland, IA

59 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

Ames, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Iowa Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.8 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 US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 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.

Coffee Attic & Book Cellar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 67.2

Iowa Falls, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+16416486771

Visit website

Love A Latte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.6

Eldora, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16419397780

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 117.6

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 25.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 33.6

Story City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 25.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 117.6

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 50.4

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 25.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 16.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 16.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 117.6 — 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
51.3 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
4
112.5 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Take the exit toward US 63: Sergeant Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 63: Sergeant Road
5
117.6 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | West 4th Street

Turn right onto West 4th Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.39 one way

$36.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.19 $40.37
premium $4.89 $22.63 $45.26
diesel $5.61 $25.96 $51.93

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: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.3 0 $12.35 $5.64
Efficient EV 29.4 0 $10.29 $4.70
EV Truck/SUV 47 0 $16.46 $7.53

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 17, 2026

Origin

Ankeny, IA

Late night in Ankeny on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Waterloo, IA

Late night in Waterloo on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

56°F

Mostly Clear

SSE 8 to 12 mph 0% chance 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

14 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 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with 94% of the journey on major roads like US 20 and I-35. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.6 miles, allowing for steady progress without frequent turns. While largely a highway experience, the inclusion of Sergeant Road offers a slight variation in the driving feel. This road profile generally means consistent speeds and fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops, emphasizing efficient travel over scenic detours.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.6 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 51.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 117.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 60.6 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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 51.3 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 Waterloo, 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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