The Cost of Driving From Ankeny, Iowa to Van Meter, Iowa: A Breakdown of Each Route

If you're planning a road trip from Ankeny, Iowa to Van Meter, Iowa, you may be wondering about the cost of gas and tolls. Depending on which route you take, the distance, time, and cost of your trip can vary. We've broken down each route below to help you plan your journey.

Route 1: Via I-35 S

This is the most direct route, taking about 30 minutes without traffic. The distance between the two locations is roughly 25 miles. From Ankeny, take I-35 S until you reach exit 70 for US-6 W towards Adel. Continue on US-6 W for about 4 miles until you reach Van Meter.

Gas prices in Iowa as of July 2021 are about $3.05 per gallon. If your car gets 25 miles per gallon, you'll need one gallon of gas for this trip, costing about $3.05. There are no tolls on this route, so your total cost would only be the price of gas.

Route 2: Via IA-415 S

This route is slightly longer at about 30.7 miles but has no tolls. From Ankeny, take IA-415 S/NE Delaware Ave for about 24 miles. Turn right onto 280th St for about 3 miles then turn left onto N Grant St. The journey should take around 35 minutes depending on traffic.

Following those gas prices, one gallon of gas for this journey would cost roughly $3.17.

Route 3: Via I-80 W

While this may be the longest route, it offers the most scenic views. The distance is about 40 miles, taking around 45 minutes depending on traffic. From Ankeny, take I-80 W and exit at 117 for US-169 N towards Adel. From there, continue on US-169 N until you reach Van Meter.

Although the route is longer, there are no tolls to worry about. Gas prices are the same as previously mentioned, with a gallon costing roughly $3.05.

Conclusion

Depending on your preferences, any of these routes could be the best option. While Route 1 is the most direct and cheapest, Route 3 offers beautiful scenery along the way. Route 2 may be a happy medium for those who aren't interested in toll roads or only have a slightly longer amount of time to travel. Regardless of which route you take, we hope this breakdown will help you estimate the cost of your trip. Safe travels!