Ankeny, IA Road Trips

Drivers starting from Ankeny, IA have 3 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Midwest. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 201-mile quick runs to 216-mile cross-state drives. Routes from Ankeny, IA spread mainly north and east, covering a wide geographic range.

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Trip Routes

10

Longest Drive

248.4 mi

Hawarden, IA

Quickest Drive

4h 6m

Bellevue, IA

Plan Around Ankeny, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Ankeny, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Hawarden, IA to Ankeny, IA 248.4 mi · 4h 49m Rock Rapids, IA to Ankeny, IA 247.1 mi · 5h 10m George, IA to Ankeny, IA 235.1 mi · 4h 55m Sibley, IA to Ankeny, IA 226.2 mi · 4h 42m

Continue From Ankeny, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Ankeny, IA to Orange City, IA 216.2 mi · 4h 21m Ankeny, IA to Lake Park, IA 211.2 mi · 4h 25m Ankeny, IA to Bellevue, IA 200.5 mi · 4h 6m

Trips from Ankeny, IA

Ankeny, IA to Orange City, IA

216.2 mi 4h 21m

Ankeny, IA to Lake Park, IA

211.2 mi 4h 25m

Ankeny, IA to Bellevue, IA

200.5 mi 4h 6m

Driving from Ankeny, IA

On average, trips departing from Ankeny, IA run 209 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 18m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 216 miles (4h 25m), while the shortest is just 201 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving Ankeny, IA most often head toward Orange City, IA (216.2 mi, 4h 21m), Lake Park, IA (211.2 mi, 4h 25m), and Bellevue, IA (200.5 mi, 4h 6m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 209-mile trip from Ankeny, IA, budget about $31 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 3 mapped routes leaving Ankeny, IA and 7 routes heading into Ankeny, IA, covering 10 total connections. Distances range from 201 to 216 miles.

The longest mapped route from Ankeny, IA covers 216 miles and takes approximately 4h 25m. Shorter options start at just 201 miles.

The average route from Ankeny, IA runs about 209 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 18m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 209-mile trip from Ankeny, IA costs roughly $31 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Ankeny, IA include Orange City, IA, Lake Park, IA and Bellevue, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Ankeny, IA by the Numbers

Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Population

70,542

Median Income

$106,603

Median Home Value

$311,300

Median Age

33.2

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.

Ankeny, IA at a Glance

Founded

1854

Elevation

909 ft

Area

29 mi²

Traveler Guide to Ankeny, IA

Ankeny is a suburb of Des Moines in Central Iowa.

About 13 miles (20 km) north of Des Moines, Ankeny was once dependent on agriculture but now is a bedroom community for Des Moines.

Ankeny Community Theater. The ACT is a nonprofit, locally operated, volunteer organization that puts on various events throughout the year. Celebration in Brass. Competition of drum and bugle corps from across the nation (the corps are part of the Summer Music Games sponsored by Drum Corps International (DCI)). Mid-Iowa Band Championship, Ankeny High School. One of the most prestigious events of its kind. Has grown to include over 30 bands from as many as seven states. Each year, an audience of 5000-7000 people have been thrilled to see many of the Midwest's finest school bands. Briarwood Golf Course. 18-hole, par 72 golf course measuring over 7,000 yards with bent-grass fairways and true-rolling greens. They have a beautiful clubhouse and lovely patio that are both great spots for hanging out after the round. Golf Digest gives Briarwood a prestigious 4-star rating. Otter Creek Golf Course. 18-hole, par 71 golf course measuring over 6,450 yards with Blue grass fairways and a slope rating of 115. Opened in 1981 it was designed by Donald Ripple & Paul Miller. Ankeny Golf & Country Club. Private 9-hole course. There is a 10 acre pond on the 9th hole. The clubhouse overlooks the pond with an excellent view of the finishing green.

Ankeny is 13 mi (21 km) north of downtown Des Moines. Take I-35 and until exit 90 or 92. 1 Ankeny Regional Airport (Intersection of I-35 and SE Oralabor Rd.). (updated Aug 2020)

Ankeny has a commuter bus service with two park-and-ride locations that connect to the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority.

Travel tips adapted from Ankeny on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.