How far is Ankeny, IA from Emmetsburg, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Emmetsburg, IA is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.2 miles (177.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
154.55 mi
03h 11m
Flight
110.23 mi
177.39 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ankeny.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
110.23 mi
Kilometers
177.39 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.55 mi
Kilometers
248.72 km
Drive Time
03h 11m

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 03h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Emmetsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 4:00 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 7:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-18T00:49
Arrive Emmetsburg
Sat, Apr 18, 4:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ankeny
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Ankeny
77.2 mi
01h 35m
To Emmetsburg
77.3 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph NW
Destination
47°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 24 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    49.6 mi · 54 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    56.1 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on 460th Avenue

    13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Broadway Street

    1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1026 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Lawler Street

    101 m · 12 sec · Lawler Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    27 m · 4 sec · 8th Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 8th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
56.4 mi · 37%
West 1st Street
51.5 mi · 33%
220th Avenue
22.6 mi · 15%
460th Avenue
13 mi · 8%
Marengo Avenue
4.78 mi · 3%
Marshall Avenue
2.15 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

56.1 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.3 mi
110.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
01h 35m from Ankeny
Leave By
10:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ankeny and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?

Duncombe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Ankeny and 77.3 miles from Emmetsburg.

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

The direct path is about 110.2 miles (177.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.55 one way or $41.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ankeny and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Emmetsburg.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Emmetsburg. Straight-line distance: 110.23 mi (177.39 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Emmetsburg

City in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States

Population3,667
Coordinates43.1127400, -94.6830400
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Emmetsburg (-94.68304, 43.11274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 249 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.45 gal
20.64 L · about $20.55
Round trip
$41.10
10.9 gal · 41.28 L
Estimated CO2
48.4 kg one way
Round trip: 96.9 kg / 214 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.55 $41.10
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.18 $46.36
Premium $4.65 $25.36 $50.73
Diesel $5.30 $28.91 $57.81

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Emmetsburg. The current time is 00:49:06.

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.