Central City, IA to Ankeny, IA is 132.4 miles and takes about 2h 42m via Lincoln Highway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, primarily traversing Iowa. Expect a local feel with frequent turns, making it a more engaging journey than a straight interstate shot. With just one recommended stop and a reasonable duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion.
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
66.2 miles from Central City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi
43m
Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi
32m
73rd Street
24.4 mi
28m
IA 100
15.2 mi
18m
Marion Road
13 mi
16m
Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
13m
16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi
2m
East 1st Street
1.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37.3 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central City, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·50 sec·Main Street
2
Continue on West Maple Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West Maple Street
3
Turn left onto IA 13
13 mi·16 min·Marion Road
4
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi·18 min·IA 100
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
6
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi·2 min·16th Avenue Southwest
7
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi·28 min·73rd Street
8
Continue on US 30
37 mi·43 min·Lincoln Highway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
10
Turn left onto IA 330
28 mi·32 min·Marshalltown Boulevard
11
Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi·13 min·Northeast 94th Avenue
12
Continue on East 1st Street
1.8 mi·4 min·East 1st Street
13
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Southwest Walnut Street
14
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft·2 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
15
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 42m duration and the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for navigation and any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a total of 132.4 miles, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 37.3-mile stretch on Lincoln Highway, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The estimated fuel cost is $21, so budget accordingly.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from Central City, IA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.3 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 9m
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 Central City, 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 Central City, IA
This is one driving day of about 132.4 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Central City, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 37.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 28.4
Atkins, Iowa
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13194462739
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.4 and 132.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
13.4 mi into trip|~17m in|IA 100
Turn right onto IA 100
Navigation decision point
5
28.6 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
5
93.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
4
132.2 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|Southwest Walnut Street
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
132.4 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|Southwest 3rd Street
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.70 one way
$41.40 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.73
$45.45
premium
$4.89
$25.48
$50.96
diesel
$5.61
$29.23
$58.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.7
0
$13.90
$6.36
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.58
$5.30
EV Truck/SUV
53
0
$18.54
$8.47
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Central City, IA
Late night
in Central City on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Late night
in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
3:47 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 42m 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 route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating a series of local roads and boulevards rather than a continuous interstate. The highway share is low at 12%, so be prepared for a more involved driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 37.3 miles along Lincoln Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel before more turns. You'll primarily be on roads like Lincoln Highway and Marshalltown Boulevard, contributing to the route's intimate, community-focused feel.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.3 mi on Lincoln Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in near IA 100.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Central City, IA to Ankeny, IA is easy. At 2h 42m with 12% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles (IA 100): Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Central City, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Marshalltown and Des Moines.
Marshalltown
28.6 mi in|~36m
Des Moines
93.4 mi in|~1h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 132.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 37.3 miles on Lincoln Highway. 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: at 13.4 miles (IA 100): Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ankeny, IA before heading back.
