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Trip from Lake City, 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

2h 7m

Distance

97.1 mi

156 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 58m ★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 2m

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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Downtown Lake City, IA, IA

Lake City, IA

Tom Fisk

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 97.1-mile drive from Lake City, IA, to Ankeny, IA, is a straightforward, single-day adventure taking approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a quick trip within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with a relatively low 20% highway share. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, making it an ideal option for a spontaneous outing or a planned day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.5 miles from Lake City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 23.9 mi 30m
360th Street 21.8 mi 30m
I 35 Bus 19 mi 21m
U Avenue 11.2 mi 15m
230th Street 11 mi 12m
Indiana Avenue 4 mi 5m
5th Street 2 mi 3m
East 1st Street 1.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 23.9 mi, about 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Center Street

45 ft · 7 sec · North Center Street
2

Turn left onto IA 175

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
3

Continue on IA 175

7.0 mi · 9 min · 360th Street
4

Continue on IA 4; IA 175

2.0 mi · 3 min · 5th Street
5

Continue on IA 4; IA 175

15 mi · 20 min · 360th Street
6

Turn right onto IA 144

4.0 mi · 5 min · Indiana Avenue
7

Continue on IA 144

6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue
8

Continue on IA 144

0.6 mi · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street
9

Continue on IA 144

4.4 mi · 5 min · U Avenue
10

Continue on IA 144

0.2 mi · 25 sec · 9th Street North
11

Turn left onto US 30

24 mi · 30 min · 220th Street
12

Continue on US 30

11 mi · 12 min · 230th Street
13

Take the exit onto I 35 Bus

19 mi · 21 min · I 35 Bus
Toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 92 Toward 1st Street
15

Keep slight right at fork

301 ft · 9 sec
16

Turn straight onto East 1st Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
17

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
18

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
19

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour, 7-minute duration and 97.1-mile distance, this is a comfortable one-day trip. You can leave Lake City, IA, at your leisure, perhaps mid-morning, to arrive in Ankeny, IA, with plenty of daylight. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for your own breaks as needed, especially during the longer 23.9-mile stretch on 220th Street. The estimated fuel cost is low at $15, so you shouldn't have any major budget concerns. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns that characterize this local drive; a GPS or reliable map app will be your best friend to ensure you stay on track without missing any crucial intersections.

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 48.5 miles from Lake City, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.9 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 21 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 48.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 44m

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 Lake 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 Lake City, IA

This is one driving day of about 97.1 miles and 2h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Lake City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on 220th Street for about 23.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Centerville, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centerville, IA

49 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

Lohrville, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centerville, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.5 miles from Lake City, 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.

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 97.1

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

1.4 mi

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Milo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ames, Iowa

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 69.3

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15152683166

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.2 mi

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.3 mi

Ankeny Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15159649897

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

Lockwood Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 69.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

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 97.1

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159647141

Visit website

The Dot Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 69.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15154254188

Visit website

Saints Avenue Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 62.4

Boone, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+15154327399

Visit website

Cafe Milo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 69.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15152683166

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 69.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 69.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 69.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

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 0 and 97 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 175 / East Main Street

Turn left onto IA 175 / East Main Street

Navigation decision point

7
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | I 35 Bus

Take the exit onto I 35 Bus toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moines

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 Business South, I 35 South: Des Moi...
5
95.2 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward 1st Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 92 Toward 1st Street
5
95.4 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
97 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | Southwest 3rd Street

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.18 one way

$30.36 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.67 $33.34
premium $4.89 $18.69 $37.37
diesel $5.61 $21.44 $42.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.1 0 $10.20 $4.66
Efficient EV 24.3 0 $8.50 $3.88
EV Truck/SUV 38.8 0 $13.59 $6.21

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Lake City, IA

Afternoon in Lake City on Sunday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ankeny, IA

Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday

Local time

4:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

51°F

Centerville, IA

49 mi in

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

2h 7m 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 driving experience that leans heavily on local streets and county roads, with only about 20% of the journey on higher-speed highways. The profile is labeled 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction as you navigate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.9 miles along 220th Street, offering a brief period of consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road segments. This route will likely feel more like exploring the countryside than a typical interstate cruise, with a pace dictated by local traffic and road layouts.

Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.9 mi on 220th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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 early in the drive near IA 175 / East Main Street.

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 2h 7m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.1 miles (I 35 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

About the Cities

Arriving in Ankeny, IA

Full guide →

Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines in Central Iowa.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 97.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (20%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 23.9 miles on 220th Street. 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: near the start (IA 175 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.1 miles (I 35 Bus): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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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