How far is Ankeny, IA from Chariton, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Chariton, IA is about 66.5 miles (107 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 09m 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
66.51 mi
01h 34m
Flight
51.83 mi
83.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ankeny.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.83 mi
Kilometers
83.42 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
66.51 mi
Kilometers
107.04 km
Drive Time
01h 34m

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 01h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chariton
Thu, Apr 30, 9:57 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 11:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-30T08:22
Arrive Chariton
Thu, Apr 30, 9:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ankeny
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Swan
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Ankeny
33.2 mi
00h 47m
To Chariton
33.2 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph N
Destination
59°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.6 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines

    1 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    10.7 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle

    3203 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    18.5 mi · 21 min

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road S45

    3.7 mi · 7 min · County Road S45

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on County Road S45

    5.5 mi · 10 min · County Road S45

  15. 15

    Continue on 1st Street Northwest

    141 m · 15 sec · 1st Street Northwest

  16. 16

    Turn left onto B Street Northwest

    112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Northeast Main Street

    933 ft · 19 sec · Northeast Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  19. 19

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Highway G76

    2679 ft · 59 sec · County Highway G76

  20. 20

    Turn left onto County Highway S45

    1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway S45

  21. 21

    Continue on 50th Place

    1.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Place

  22. 22

    Continue on 260th Avenue

    3.6 mi · 6 min · 260th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto State Highway 14

    6.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14

  24. 24

    Continue on North 7th Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Court Avenue

    935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto South Grand Street

    63 m · 14 sec · South Grand Street

  27. 27

    Turn left

    22 m · 5 sec

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
28 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
IA 5 South
19.1 mi · 29%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.7 mi · 16%
County Road S45
9.19 mi · 14%
State Highway 14
6.42 mi · 10%
I-35 south
5.04 mi · 8%
260th Avenue
3.57 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

IA 5 South

Continue straight

18.5 mi · 00h 21m

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
01h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.7 mi
51.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Swan
00h 47m from Ankeny
Leave By
3:20 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Ankeny and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 66.5 miles (107 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?

Swan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.2 miles from Ankeny and 33.2 miles from Chariton.

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

The direct path is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 3:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.86 one way or $17.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Ankeny and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Chariton.

Stop Ideas Near Swan

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

61 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

90 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Creston

99 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Chariton. Straight-line distance: 51.83 mi (83.42 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Chariton

City in Lucas County, Iowa

Population4,103
Coordinates41.0138900, -93.3066000
Altitude313
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Chariton (-93.3066, 41.01389)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 107 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.35 gal
8.88 L · about $8.86
Round trip
$17.72
4.7 gal · 17.76 L
Estimated CO2
20.9 kg one way
Round trip: 41.8 kg / 92 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.86 $17.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.99 $19.99
Premium $4.65 $10.94 $21.87
Diesel $5.30 $12.46 $24.93

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Chariton. The current time is 08:22:34.

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.