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Trip from Burlington, 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

3h 27m

Distance

174.6 mi

281 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 16m ★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 21m

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 Des Moines County, Iowa, United States

Burlington, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 174.6-mile drive from Burlington, Iowa to Ankeny, Iowa is a straightforward, highway-focused journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 27 minutes on the road, making it a very manageable one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes US 34, US 63, and I-35, with 93% of the drive being on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this is an economical option for getting between these two Iowa cities. You'll encounter one recommended stop, and the longest stretch without a turn is 88.1 miles on US 34, so plan accordingly.

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

87.3 miles from Burlington, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 34 88.1 mi 1h 43m
US 63 69.4 mi 1h 20m
I 35 4.7 mi 5m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 3.8 mi 4m
Avenue of the Saints 1.8 mi 2m
East 1st Street 1.5 mi 3m
I 80 0.9 mi 1m
South Central Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 34 — 88.1 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Central Avenue

0.4 mi · 49 sec · South Central Avenue
2

Continue on North Central Avenue

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Central Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
4

Merge onto US 34; IA 163

26 mi · 30 min · US 34; IA 163
5

Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 34; IA 163
Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield
6

Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163

1.8 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163

61 mi · 1 hr 10 min · US 34; IA 163
Exit 45
8

Continue on US 63; IA 163

69 mi · 1 hr 20 min · US 63; IA 163
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
10

Merge onto US 65

3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
11

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min
Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
12

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 80
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · this road
Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
15

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · this road
Exit 137B Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
16

Merge onto I 35

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward 1st Street
18

Keep slight left at fork

256 ft · 8 sec
Toward High Trestle Trail Use the left lane.
19

Turn straight onto East 1st Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
20

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
21

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
22

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 27 minute duration, this route is comfortably completed in a single day. Departing Burlington in the morning should allow you to reach Ankeny by midday. The longest stretch of 88.1 miles on US 34 means you’ll want to ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on that section. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Consider an early departure to maximize your time at your destination in Ankeny.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.3 miles from Burlington, IA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 38 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.3 miles or 1h 42m 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 47m

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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, IA

This is one driving day of about 174.6 miles and 3h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Burlington, 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 US 34 for about 88.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Ottumwa, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ottumwa, IA

87 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

Mount Pleasant, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ottumwa, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.3 miles from Burlington, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.1 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 end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Windmill Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pella, Iowa

1.2 mi

Smokey Row Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pella, Iowa

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Perk Of Pella

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pella, Iowa

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.7

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+16416288222

Visit website

The Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pella, Iowa

1.2 mi

Iris Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pella, Iowa

1.3 mi

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Windmill Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.7

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 5:30 am–3 pm

+16416211800

Smokey Row Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 124.7

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+16416210008

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.6

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159647141

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 162.1

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Cafe at the Meadows

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 162.1

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+15159573539

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 162.1

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

The Perk Of Pella

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.7

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+16416288222

Visit website

The Sanctuary

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.7

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+16416284911

Visit website

Iris Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.7

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16413232923

Visit website

Brew Coffee House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.7

Pella, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16416210068

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 172.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 34 West, IA 163 West

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
5
27.1 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 34; IA 163

Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield

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

Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfiel...
7
166.5 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
167.8 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
8
172.8 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward High Trestle Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward High Trestle Trail

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.30 one way

$54.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.97 $59.94
premium $4.89 $33.60 $67.20
diesel $5.61 $38.55 $77.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.4 0 $18.33 $8.38
Efficient EV 43.7 0 $15.28 $6.98
EV Truck/SUV 69.8 0 $24.44 $11.17

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 16, 2026

Origin

Burlington, IA

Night in Burlington on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ankeny, IA

Night in Ankeny on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

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

17 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

3h 27m 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?

This route offers a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 93% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll be covering significant distances on major arteries like US 34, US 63, and I-35. The longest uninterrupted segment is an impressive 88.1 miles on US 34, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While not designed for scenic vistas, this highway-centric profile ensures efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly across Iowa's landscape.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.1 mi on US 34.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 34 and US 63. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 174.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.1 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

On the drive from Burlington, IA to Ankeny, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.

Fairfield

27.1 mi in | ~32m | via US 34; IA 163

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 174.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 27m 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 88.1 miles on US 34. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Ankeny, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.1 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Ankeny, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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