How far is Ankeny, IA from Carter Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Carter Lake, IA is about 146.7 miles (236.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.4 miles (198.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Carter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Carter Lake.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road
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4
Turn left onto Southwest State Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street
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5
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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7
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
23.7 mi · 26 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs
2.9 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2 mi · 2 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West
1.7 mi · 3 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
1472 ft · 40 sec
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14
Turn right onto North 14th Street
1994 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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15
Turn right onto Izard Street
1113 ft · 31 sec · Izard Street
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16
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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17
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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18
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Carter Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Carter Lake?
The road trip is about 146.7 miles (236.1 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Anita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.2 miles from Ankeny and 73.5 miles from Carter Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.4 miles (198.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.53 one way or $39.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Carter Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Anita
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 Anita.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Carter Lake. Straight-line distance: 123.42 mi (198.63 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 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carter Lake (-95.91807, 41.29055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $19.53 | $39.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $22.03 | $44.06 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $24.11 | $48.22 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $27.47 | $54.95 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.