How far is Algona, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Algona, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 127.2 miles (204.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98 miles (157.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
127.2 mi
02h 08m
Flight
97.98 mi
157.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Algona.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
97.98 mi
Kilometers
157.68 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
127.2 mi
Kilometers
204.71 km
Drive Time
02h 08m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Wed, Apr 22, 11:55 PM CDT
Return by in Algona
Thu, Apr 23, 2:03 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Algona
2026-04-22T21:46
Arrive Ankeny
Wed, Apr 22, 11:55 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Algona
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Webster City
IA

City in Iowa

From Algona
63.6 mi
01h 04m
To Ankeny
63.7 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 22 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Algona and Ankeny.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Algona and Ankeny.

  1. 1

    Start on North Jones Street

    1121 ft · 35 sec · North Jones Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East McGregor Street

    1636 ft · 37 sec · East McGregor Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Phillips Street

    2617 ft · 1 min · South Phillips Street

  4. 4

    Continue on US Highway 169

    4 mi · 6 min · US Highway 169

  5. 5

    Continue on South Phillips Street

    5.9 mi · 8 min · South Phillips Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 120th Avenue

    2588 ft · 55 sec · 120th Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Lincoln Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · Lincoln Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on 13th Street North

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 13th Street North

  9. 9

    Continue on Lincoln Avenue

    115 m · 8 sec · Lincoln Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on 13th Street South

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 13th Street South

  11. 11

    Continue on Lincoln Avenue

    18.5 mi · 26 min · Lincoln Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto US 20 East

    2190 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    30.7 mi · 35 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    49.1 mi · 53 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1422 ft · 35 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    92 m · 9 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Algona and Ankeny.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 South
49.8 mi · 39%
US 20 East
31.2 mi · 24%
Lincoln Avenue
30.1 mi · 24%
South Phillips Street
6.42 mi · 5%
US Highway 169
4.04 mi · 3%
East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 35 South

Merge slight left

49.1 mi · 00h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.2 mi
98 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
01h 04m from Algona
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Algona and Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Algona to Ankeny?

The road trip is about 127.2 miles (204.7 km) and usually takes 02h 08m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.6 miles from Algona and 63.7 miles from Ankeny.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 98 miles (157.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.93 one way or $33.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Algona and Sunny near Ankeny.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Algona and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 97.98 mi (157.68 km).

Algona

#1 Algona

City in Iowa

Population5,359
Coordinates43.0699700, -94.2330200
Altitude364
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: North Jones Street (-94.232982, 43.06997)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 205 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.49 gal
16.99 L · about $16.93
Round trip
$33.86
8.98 gal · 33.98 L
Estimated CO2
39.9 kg one way
Round trip: 79.8 kg / 176 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.93 $33.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.10 $38.19
Premium $4.65 $20.90 $41.79
Diesel $5.30 $23.81 $47.63

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Iowa · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Algona and Ankeny. The current time is 21:46:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.