Spanning 235.1 miles across Iowa, your journey from George to Ankeny is a manageable trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it an efficient way to cross the state without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $36 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies on a combination of 220th Street, I-35, and 20th Avenue to navigate the Midwest landscape. It is a straightforward drive, but the mix of local roads and major interstates keeps the experience varied enough to stay alert behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.6 miles from George, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
92.4 mi
1h 46m
I 35
49.1 mi
53m
20th Avenue
9.2 mi
12m
State Highway 3
8.6 mi
11m
IA 60 Business
7.5 mi
9m
320th Street
6.3 mi
8m
Armstrong Avenue
6 mi
8m
D Avenue
5.7 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 92.4 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~965 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,423
Quietest
2 AM
~93 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between George, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on North Main Street
377 ft·17 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto East Boiler Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·East Boiler Avenue
3
Turn right onto South Virginia Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Virginia Street
4
Continue on L14
5.7 mi·8 min·L14
5
Continue on CR L14
3.8 mi·5 min·Kennedy Avenue
6
Continue on CR L14
0.5 mi·1 min·Colfax Street
7
Turn left onto US 18; CR L14
6.0 mi·8 min·320th Street
8
Continue on US 18
0.7 mi·58 sec·West Park Street
9
Continue on US 18
0.3 mi·29 sec·320th Street
10
Turn right onto Western Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·Western Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto CR B20
360 ft·10 sec·West 16th Street
12
Turn right onto IA 60 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
13
Take the ramp onto IA 60 Business
7.5 mi·9 min·IA 60 Business
14
Turn left onto L22
5.6 mi·7 min·Log Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto IA 10
1.0 mi·1 min·460th Street
16
Continue on IA 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Garfield Street
17
Continue on IA 10
3.5 mi·4 min·460th Street
18
Turn right onto IA 143
5.0 mi·6 min·Nettle Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on IA 143
5.7 mi·7 min·D Avenue
20
Continue on IA 143
1.3 mi·2 min·Ames Avenue
21
Turn left onto IA 3
5.0 mi·6 min·490th Street
22
Continue on IA 3
4.2 mi·5 min·State Highway 3
23
Continue on IA 3
2.5 mi·3 min·500th Street
24
Turn straight onto IA 3
4.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 3
25
Turn left onto IA 3
3.4 mi·4 min·530th Street
26
Turn right onto IA 7
2.0 mi·2 min·V Avenue
27
Continue on IA 7
1.4 mi·2 min·1st Street
28
Continue on IA 7
2.1 mi·2 min·State Highway 7
29
Continue on IA 7
1.1 mi·1 min·Highway 7
30
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi·12 min·20th Avenue
31
Continue on CR M27
6.0 mi·8 min·Armstrong Avenue
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 20
92 mi·1 hr 46 min·220th Street
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
34
Merge onto I 35
49 mi·53 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 92Toward 1st Street
36
Keep slight right at fork
301 ft·9 sec
37
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi·3 min·East 1st Street
38
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·Southwest Walnut Street
39
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft·2 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
40
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-five-hour trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early helps avoid potential traffic as you approach the Ankeny area. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is wise to break up the 235.1-mile distance and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 92.4-mile stretch on 220th Street, as services may be more spaced out compared to the interstate sections. Because this route is turn-heavy, double-check your turn-by-turn directions before heading out to ensure you don't miss a transition point on the local roads. This intentional pacing ensures you arrive at your destination without feeling fatigued by the technical nature of the drive.
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 117.6 miles from George, IA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.4 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 52 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
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 George, 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 George, IA
This is one driving day of about 235.1 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from George, 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 220th Street for about 92.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 233.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19 mi into trip|~29m in|CR B20 / West 16th Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR B20 / West 16th Street
Navigation decision point
6
27.2 mi into trip|~39m in|L22 / Log Avenue
Turn left onto L22 / Log Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
37.8 mi into trip|~54m in|IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Turn right onto IA 143 / Nettle Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
184.1 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
233.2 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 92
Toward 1st Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.72 one way
$69.44 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$38.33
$76.66
premium
$4.72
$43.65
$87.30
diesel
$4.80
$44.39
$88.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.5
0
$24.69
$11.28
Efficient EV
58.8
0
$20.57
$9.40
EV Truck/SUV
94
1
$32.91
$15.05
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
George, IA
Late night
in George on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Late night
in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 to 8 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:14AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 9:57AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
4 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
4h 55m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. With only 29% of the route on highways, you will spend most of your time navigating local infrastructure. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 92.4-mile stretch along 220th Street, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. Transitions between these local segments and I-35 create a distinct shift in pace, moving you from quieter rural roads onto a faster, more structured interstate environment. Keep your navigation handy, as the frequent turns require constant awareness of your surroundings.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.4 mi on 220th Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in near CR B20 / West 16th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 55m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,471 ft914 ft
Total Climb
266 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
1,471 ft
~50.4 mi in
Elevation Range
557 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The longest stretch is about 92.4 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 19 miles (CR B20 / West 16th Street): Navigation decision point; at 27.2 miles (L22 / Log Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles (IA 143 / Nettle Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Ankeny, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
