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Trip from Manchester, 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 10m

Distance

163.4 mi

263 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 58m ★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m

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 Delaware County, Iowa, United States

Manchester, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Ankeny, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 163.4-mile drive from Manchester to Ankeny, Iowa, is a straightforward 3-hour and 10-minute trip, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. You'll navigate primarily on the Avenue of the Saints and I-35, with a portion on US 20, covering about 57% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest excursion is around $26, and with only one recommended stop, it's an efficient way to travel. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied but generally easy-going experience, ideal for those looking to cover ground without extensive planning.

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

81.7 miles from Manchester, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Avenue of the Saints 66.5 mi 1h 16m
I 35 49.6 mi 53m
US 20 42.3 mi 48m
East 1st Street 1.4 mi 3m
State Highway 13 1.2 mi 1m
East Main Street 1.2 mi 2m
Southwest Walnut Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Tama Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 66.5 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Tama Street

58 ft · 4 sec · North Tama Street
2

Turn right onto CR D22

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
3

Turn left onto IA 13

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 13
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
5

Merge onto US 20

42 mi · 48 min · US 20
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Avenue of the Saints
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 35

50 mi · 53 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 92 Toward 1st Street
10

Keep slight right at fork

301 ft · 9 sec
11

Turn straight onto East 1st Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
12

Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
13

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

48 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
14

Arrive at destination

Southwest 3rd Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 10 minutes, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but an early start will allow for a relaxed pace and the option to add an unplanned stop. With a fuel cost of approximately $26, it's an economical trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 66.5 miles on the Avenue of the Saints, as services can be spaced out on certain highway portions. This manageable drive is best tackled in one go, avoiding the need for an overnight stay.

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 81.7 miles from Manchester, IA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 36 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m

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 Manchester, 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 Manchester, IA

This is one driving day of about 163.4 miles and 3h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Manchester, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 66.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Iowa Falls, IA

82 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.

Popular next leg

Iowa Falls, IA to Ankeny, IA

73.2 mi · 1h 27m

Pacing Suggestions

Elk Run Heights, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eldora, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.7 miles from Manchester, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 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.

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 140

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 46.7

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.2 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 46.7

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+31880109500

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 140

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 140

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 140

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 140

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 140

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 140

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 151.7

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 140

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 111.6 and 163.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
111.6 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
5
111.9 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
161.5 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward 1st Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 92 Toward 1st Street
5
161.8 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

5
163.4 mi into trip | ~3h 9m in | Southwest 3rd Street

Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.55 one way

$51.09 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.05 $56.10
premium $4.89 $31.44 $62.89
diesel $5.61 $36.08 $72.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49 0 $17.16 $7.84
Efficient EV 40.9 0 $14.30 $6.54
EV Truck/SUV 65.4 0 $22.88 $10.46

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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

Manchester, IA

Late night in Manchester on Sunday

Local time

1:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ankeny, IA

Late night in Ankeny on Sunday

Local time

1:00 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

23 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 10m 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?

The personality of this drive is largely defined by its highway segments, which comprise 57% of the total mileage. You'll experience stretches like the 66.5-mile segment on the Avenue of the Saints, offering a more uninterrupted flow. The route blends these faster highway sections with other road types, creating a mixed drive profile that keeps things from becoming monotonous. As you progress, expect transitions between these different road characteristics, providing a dynamic driving experience without being overly demanding.

57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 111.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 163.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 111.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 163.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.

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 111.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 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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