This 248.4-mile drive from Hawarden, IA to Ankeny, IA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 49 minutes. You'll primarily be on major interstates, with an 84% highway share, making it a straightforward journey through the heart of the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $39, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. Given the relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop.
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
124.2 miles from Hawarden, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
107.4 mi
1h 56m
I 29
79.4 mi
1h 25m
K18N
19.9 mi
27m
I 880
16 mi
17m
Buchanan Avenue
6 mi
8m
State Highway 12
5.4 mi
7m
Sioux River Road
2.8 mi
3m
Northwest 2nd Street
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 107.4 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,587 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 39 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 Hawarden, IA and Ankeny, IA.
1
Start on Central Avenue
344 ft·17 sec·Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto IA 10
0.8 mi·1 min·10th Street
3
Turn right onto CR K18
6.0 mi·8 min·Buchanan Avenue
4
Continue on CR K18
20 mi·27 min·K18N
5
At end of road, turn left onto IA 12; CR K18
5.4 mi·7 min·State Highway 12
6
Continue on IA 12
2.8 mi·3 min·Sioux River Road
7
Turn right onto IA 12
2.1 mi·4 min·Riverside Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 29 South
9
Merge onto I 29
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·I 29
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 71Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
11
Continue on I 880
16 mi·17 min·I 880
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·43 sec
Exit 16AToward I 80 East: Des MoinesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
12 mi·14 min·I 80
Exit 123BToward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 135Toward IA 415: Polk CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto IA 415
2.8 mi·4 min·Northwest 2nd Street
17
Continue on IA 415
2.5 mi·4 min·Southwest State Street
18
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Southwest Ordnance Road
19
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Southwest Walnut Street
20
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft·2 sec·Southwest 3rd Street
21
Arrive at destination
Southwest 3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 4 hour and 49-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you plenty of daylight and flexibility. With only one suggested stop and a longest stretch of 107.4 miles, you can easily plan your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer segments on I 80, as services can sometimes be spaced out. The $39 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to rush, allowing for a more relaxed travel experience.
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 124.2 miles from Hawarden, IA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.4 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 55 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.2 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Hawarden, 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 Hawarden, IA
This is one driving day of about 248.4 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Hawarden, 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 I 80 for about 107.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 34.9 and 241.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
34.9 mi into trip|~49m in|IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Turn right onto IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
37 mi into trip|~53m in
Take the ramp toward I 29 South
Navigation decision point
Toward I 29 South
8
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
9
229.1 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
7
241.5 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward IA 415: Polk City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 135
Toward IA 415: Polk City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.30 one way
$82.60 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$44.99
$89.97
premium
$5.18
$50.69
$101.37
diesel
$5.35
$52.32
$104.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.08
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.78
$15.90
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 May 22, 2026
Origin
Hawarden, IA
Afternoon
in Hawarden on Wednesday
Local time
3:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 10 to 15 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon
in Ankeny on Wednesday
Local time
3:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Chance Rain Showers
E 5 to 12 mph18% chanceLive 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
3 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 49m 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 highway-focused drive for most of this 248.4-mile journey. With 84% of the route on highways, you'll experience long stretches of efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted section is a significant 107.4 miles on I 80, allowing for steady progress. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of K18N suggests a brief transition to a different road type, possibly a state highway, before you reach your destination. Overall, this route emphasizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.4 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 34.9 miles in near IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 34.9 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,402 ft932 ft
Total Climb
608 ft
Total Descent
796 ft
Highest Point
1,402 ft
~177.4 mi in
Elevation Range
471 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hawarden, IA and Ankeny, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Kansas City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 248.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.4 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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.
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. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 34.9 miles (IA 12 / Riverside Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles: Navigation decision point; at 133.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Ankeny, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
