How far is Ankeny, IA from Blue Grass, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Blue Grass, IA is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147.5 miles (237.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 11m 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
162.49 mi
03h 05m
Flight
147.46 mi
237.32 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
147.46 mi
Kilometers
237.32 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.49 mi
Kilometers
261.51 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 03h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Blue Grass
Thu, Apr 23, 9:45 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 12:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-23T06:40
Arrive Blue Grass
Thu, Apr 23, 9:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM CDT

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

Leave by
10:48 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Ladora
IA

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

From Ankeny
81 mi
01h 32m
To Blue Grass
81.5 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 24 mph S
Destination
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Blue Grass.

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-35 south: Des Moines

    1978 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    955 ft · 13 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East: Davenport

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    146.4 mi · 2 hr 38 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR Y40: Walcott, Plain View

    1289 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Plainview Road

    1 km · 1 min · North Plainview Road

  11. 11

    Continue on 60th Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · 60th Avenue

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 200th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 200th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 70th Avenue

    2591 ft · 52 sec · 70th Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on North Blue Grass Road

    2815 ft · 56 sec · North Blue Grass Road

  15. 15

    Continue on 70th Avenue

    4.5 mi · 8 min · 70th Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on North Mississippi Street

    2795 ft · 60 sec · North Mississippi Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Garonne Street

    21 m · 3 sec · West Garonne Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Garonne Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
147 mi · 91%
I-35 south
5.04 mi · 3%
70th Avenue
4.99 mi · 3%
West 1st Street
1.4 mi · 1%
200th Street
0.95 mi · 1%
North Plainview Road
0.64 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight right

146 mi · 02h 38m

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
03h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
147.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ladora
01h 32m from Ankeny
Leave By
10:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ankeny and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Blue Grass.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Blue Grass?

The road trip is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?

Ladora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Ankeny and 81.5 miles from Blue Grass.

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

The direct path is about 147.5 miles (237.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 10:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.65 one way or $43.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ankeny and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Blue Grass.

Stop Ideas Near Ladora

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Ladora, 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 Ladora.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

84 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

102 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Blue Grass. Straight-line distance: 147.46 mi (237.32 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Blue Grass

#2 Blue Grass

City in Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa

Population1,660
Coordinates41.5089200, -90.7659800
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Blue Grass (-90.76598, 41.50892)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.74 gal
21.71 L · about $21.65
Round trip
$43.29
11.48 gal · 43.42 L
Estimated CO2
51 kg one way
Round trip: 102 kg / 225 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.65 $43.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.41 $48.82
Premium $4.65 $26.71 $53.43
Diesel $5.30 $30.44 $60.89

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 Ankeny and Blue Grass. The current time is 06:40:04.

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.