Origin
Audubon, IA
Late night in Audubon on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Audubon, IA to Ankeny, 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 57m
Distance
75.3 mi
121 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 49m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Audubon, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ankeny, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 75.3-mile drive from Audubon to Ankeny, Iowa, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 57 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route primarily utilizes State Highway 44, with portions on 240th Street and West State Street, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this journey through the Midwest is budget-friendly and requires no overnight stays. You'll find this drive to be a practical way to connect two points within Iowa without significant logistical planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.7 miles from Audubon, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 44 | 24.4 mi | 35m |
| 240th Street | 21.4 mi | 29m |
| West State Street | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| Northwest 70th Avenue | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Highway 71 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| West 1st Street | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| East 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Southwest State Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 44
— 24.4 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Audubon, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on US 71
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
2
Continue on US 71
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 71
3
Turn left onto IA 44
21 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 44
4
Continue on IA 44
7.3 mi
·
10 min
·
West State Street
5
Continue on IA 44
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
6
Continue on IA 44
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 44
7
Continue on IA 44
16 mi
·
22 min
·
240th Street
8
Continue on IA 44
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sugar Grove Avenue
9
Continue on IA 44
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
240th Street
10
Continue on IA 44
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West 1st Street
11
Continue on IA 44
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
12
Enter roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
Northwest 70th Avenue
13
Continue on Northwest 70th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Northwest 70th Avenue
14
Enter roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northwest 70th Avenue
15
Continue on Northwest 70th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest 70th Avenue
16
Enter roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue
110 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northwest 70th Avenue
17
Continue on Northwest 70th Avenue
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest 70th Avenue
18
Turn right onto Northwest Beaver Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Beaver Drive
19
Continue on Northwest 66th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 66th Avenue
20
Turn left onto Northwest 26th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 26th Street
21
Turn right onto IA 415
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest 78th Avenue
22
Continue on IA 415
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Oralabor Road
23
Turn left onto Southwest State Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest State Street
24
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Ordnance Road
25
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Walnut Street
26
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
27
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with this drive. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without significant turns is 24.4 miles on State Highway 44, and it's wise to have a full tank before setting out, especially with the $12 estimated fuel cost.
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 37.7 miles from Audubon, IA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.4 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 17 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.7 miles or 56m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ankeny, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Audubon, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Audubon, IA
This is one driving day of about 75.3 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Audubon, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 44 for about 24.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.7 miles from Audubon, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 105 decision points cluster between mile 63.6 and 74.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
Northwest 70th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
Northwest 70th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
64.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
Northwest 70th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
69.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
Northwest 26th Street
Turn left onto Northwest 26th Street
Navigation decision point
4
74.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
Southwest Ordnance Road
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.77 one way
$23.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.93 | $25.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.49 | $28.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.63 | $33.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.6 | 0 | $7.91 | $3.61 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.1 | 0 | $10.54 | $4.82 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Late night in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
21 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 57m 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 mixed drive on this route, with 37% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 24.4 miles along State Highway 44, offering a good period of consistent travel. As you progress from Audubon to Ankeny, the road character will shift between more open highway sections and local street navigation. This blend means you’ll experience both flowing traffic and more varied road conditions, keeping your drive engaging.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.4 mi on State Highway 44.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 63.6 miles in near Northwest 70th Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 57m 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: at 63.6 miles (Northwest 70th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 64 miles (Northwest 70th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 64.6 miles (Northwest 70th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 75.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.4 miles on State Highway 44. 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: at 63.6 miles (Northwest 70th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 64 miles (Northwest 70th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 64.6 miles (Northwest 70th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ankeny, 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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