Climb into the Car: A Friendly Guide to Driving from Ankeny, Iowa to Daphne, Alabama

If you're gearing up for a road trip, you're probably wondering how long it will take to drive from Point A to Point B. And if your starting point is Ankeny, Iowa, and your destination is Daphne, Alabama, you're looking at a drive of approximately 920 miles. But how long will it take? Read on for a friendly guide to drive times, traffic patterns, and the routes you can take to make your trip an adventurous success.

Route #1: The Fastest Way

If you're looking for the quickest route, you should take I-35 S and I-55 S. This route is the fastest, but it also has tolls. You'll cover a distance of 918 miles and it will take you approximately 13 hours and 44 minutes. This time is calculated assuming low traffic times. If you get stuck in traffic, the drive can take up to 15-16 hours. If you get lucky, you may even cut that drive time by 30 minutes. The best time to drive this route is between 9 am and 11 am as it beats early rush hour traffic and you're not caught in the lunch rush.

Route #2: The Scenic Route

If you're looking for a more scenic way to travel, you should take I-29 S and I-49 S. You'll get a chance to see some beautiful views along the way but this route adds around 2-3 hours to your trip, making it around 16 hours for the whole trip. This time is calculated assuming low traffic times. You might get there faster if you get on the road around 9 am and get off the road around 5 pm to avoid a majority of the rush hour traffic.

Route #3: The Slowest Way

If you're in no rush, you can take US-71 S and I-10 E. This is the longest route at 945 miles and would take more than 18 hours to cover. However, this route provides better scenery than Route 1 as you will be driving through the Gulf Coast, with pine forests and beautiful countryside throughout. The best time to start your journey on this route is 7-8 am to beat the morning traffic and reach Daphne before midnight.

Conclusion

The time it takes to drive from Ankeny, Iowa to Daphne, Alabama depends on a variety of factors, including the route you choose, the time of day and traffic conditions. If you take Route 1, you can get there the fastest but it comes with toll costs. If you're looking for a more scenic route, you should take Route 2. Finally, if you have plenty of time, you can take Route 3 and enjoy the scenery along the Gulf Coast. However, whatever route you take, be sure to check the traffic conditions, plan your itinerary beforehand and take breaks every 2-3 hours on the road. Have a great time on your adventure, and happy driving!