How far is Ankeny, IA from Akron, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Akron, IA is about 236 miles (379.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 169 miles (272 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
235.98 mi
04h 30m
Flight
169.01 mi
271.99 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ankeny.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
169.01 mi
Kilometers
271.99 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
235.98 mi
Kilometers
379.77 km
Drive Time
04h 30m

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 04h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Akron
Sun, Apr 26, 10:16 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Sun, Apr 26, 2:47 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-26T05:45
Arrive Akron
Sun, Apr 26, 10:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:58 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ankeny
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Neola
IA

Human settlement in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America

From Ankeny
117.9 mi
02h 15m
To Akron
118.1 mi
02h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph ESE
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Southwest State Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Northwest 2nd Street

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    11.3 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

    95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North: Sioux City

    2271 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    79.1 mi · 1 hr 26 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 12 North: Riverside Boulevard

    1588 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Riverside Boulevard

    2 mi · 4 min · Riverside Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Sioux River Road

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Sioux River Road

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 12

    15.5 mi · 21 min · State Highway 12

  16. 16

    Continue on Portland Street

    933 ft · 18 sec · Portland Street

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 12

    1418 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 12

  18. 18

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 3

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 12

    2285 ft · 59 sec · State Highway 12

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Reed Street

    84 m · 18 sec · Reed Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    16 m · 2 sec · North 2nd Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
95.5 mi · 40%
I 29 North
79.5 mi · 34%
I 880 West
16.7 mi · 7%
State Highway 12
16.2 mi · 7%
Northwest 2nd Street
14.2 mi · 6%
State Highway 3
4.74 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

95.5 mi · 01h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 30m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67 mi
169 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Neola
02h 15m from Ankeny
Leave By
7:58 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Ankeny and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Akron.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 236 miles (379.8 km) and usually takes 04h 30m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Neola is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.9 miles from Ankeny and 118.1 miles from Akron.

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

The direct path is about 169 miles (272 km), while the road route adds roughly 67 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:58 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.41 one way or $62.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Ankeny and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Akron.

Stop Ideas Near Neola

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Neola, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Neola.

RAIL

Omaha

34 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Creston

114 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Lincoln

116 mi away
201 North 7th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Akron. Straight-line distance: 169.01 mi (271.99 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Akron

#2 Akron

City in Plymouth County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,454
Coordinates42.8288800, -96.5594800
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Akron (-96.55948, 42.82888)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 380 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.33 gal
31.52 L · about $31.41
Round trip
$62.82
16.66 gal · 63.04 L
Estimated CO2
74 kg one way
Round trip: 148.1 kg / 327 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.41 $62.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.43 $70.85
Premium $4.65 $38.77 $77.54
Diesel $5.30 $44.18 $88.36

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Akron. The current time is 05:45:52.

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.