How far is Ankeny, IA from Decorah, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Decorah, IA is about 192.7 miles (310.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 01m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Iowa, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Decorah.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Decorah.
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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
1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1707 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
97.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
1 mi · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left
32.9 mi · 38 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
1513 ft · 43 sec
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9
Turn left onto 185th Street
1559 ft · 24 sec · 185th Street
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10
Turn straight onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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11
Turn left onto Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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12
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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13
Turn left onto Brantingham Street
759 ft · 24 sec · Brantingham Street
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14
Continue on 4th Avenue
1 km · 2 min · 4th Avenue
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15
Continue on 5th Avenue
1761 ft · 50 sec · 5th Avenue
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16
Continue on 200th Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · 200th Avenue
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17
Continue on 200th Street
11 mi · 15 min · 200th Street
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18
Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Kenwood Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto 210th Street
1801 ft · 36 sec · 210th Street
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20
Continue on West Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
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21
Continue on State Highway 24
20.3 mi · 28 min · State Highway 24
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22
Continue on 1st Street Southeast
1363 ft · 42 sec · 1st Street Southeast
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23
Continue on State Highway 24
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 24
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24
Continue on Highway 24
3252 ft · 50 sec · Highway 24
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25
Continue on State Highway 24
3237 ft · 52 sec · State Highway 24
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26
Continue on Charles Street
1751 ft · 40 sec · Charles Street
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27
Turn right onto South Street
1043 ft · 51 sec · South Street
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28
Turn left onto Maryville Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Maryville Street
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29
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 11 min
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30
Turn right onto State Highway 9
2175 ft · 39 sec · State Highway 9
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31
Turn left onto Short Street
2219 ft · 1 min · Short Street
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32
Continue on South Mechanic Street
2540 ft · 1 min · South Mechanic Street
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33
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
1323 ft · 32 sec · West Broadway Street
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34
Turn left onto Washington Street
104 m · 17 sec · Washington Street
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35
Turn right onto East Main Street
18 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Decorah.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West 1st Street
Merge slight left
97.1 mi · 01h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Ankeny and Mostly Sunny near Decorah.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Decorah?
The road trip is about 192.7 miles (310.2 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
Swaledale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.3 miles from Ankeny and 96.4 miles from Decorah.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.8 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 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.64 one way or $51.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Ankeny and Mostly Sunny near Decorah.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Decorah. Straight-line distance: 142.87 mi (229.92 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 Decorah
Town in Iowa
| Population | 7,484 |
| Coordinates | 43.3033100, -91.7857100 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Decorah (-91.78571, 43.30331)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 310 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.92 | $57.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.65 | $63.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.07 | $72.13 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.