How far is Ankeny, IA from Carlisle, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Carlisle, IA is about 24.4 miles (39.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Carlisle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Carlisle.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-35 south: Des Moines
1978 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 5 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
955 ft · 13 sec
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East: Davenport
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight right
2.6 mi · 3 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
1 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.7 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
3203 ft · 1 min
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12
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 2 min
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13
Turn left onto South 5th Street
1723 ft · 1 min · South 5th Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Carlisle.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.7 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Ankeny and Sunny near Carlisle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Carlisle?
The road trip is about 24.4 miles (39.2 km) and usually takes 00h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.2 miles from Ankeny and 12.2 miles from Carlisle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.24 one way or $6.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ankeny and Sunny near Carlisle.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Altoona.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Carlisle. Straight-line distance: 16.89 mi (27.18 km).
#1 Ankeny
The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 70,068 |
| Coordinates | 41.7297100, -93.6057700 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carlisle
City in Warren and Polk counties in the U.
| Population | 4,323 |
| Coordinates | 41.5008200, -93.4910500 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlisle (-93.49105, 41.50082)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.24 | $6.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.66 | $7.32 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.