How far is Ankeny, IA from Colfax, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Colfax, IA is about 25.9 miles (41.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19 miles (30.5 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.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Colfax.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Colfax.
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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
17.1 mi · 19 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 117: Colfax, Mingo
2121 ft · 53 sec
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10
Turn right onto North State Highway 117
1.1 km · 1 min · North State Highway 117
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11
Continue on North Walnut Street
730 ft · 18 sec · North Walnut Street
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12
Turn left onto East Howard Street
17 m · 2 sec · East Howard Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Howard Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Colfax.
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.
I 80 East
Merge slight right
17.1 mi · 00h 19m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Ankeny and Partly Sunny near Colfax.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Colfax?
The road trip is about 25.9 miles (41.7 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 12.9 miles from Ankeny and 13 miles from Colfax.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19 miles (30.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.9 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 $3.43 one way or $6.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Ankeny and Partly Sunny near Colfax.
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 Colfax. Straight-line distance: 18.95 mi (30.49 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 Colfax
City in Jasper County, Iowa
| Population | 2,050 |
| Coordinates | 41.6777700, -93.2452000 |
| Altitude | 244 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colfax (-93.2452, 41.67777)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.43 | $6.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.87 | $7.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.24 | $8.47 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.83 | $9.65 |
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 · May 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.