How far is Ankeny, IA from Gilbert, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Gilbert, IA is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m 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 43m.
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 Story County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Gilbert.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Gilbert.
-
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
-
2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight left
1707 ft · 42 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
20.4 mi · 22 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
1758 ft · 45 sec
-
7
Turn left onto East 13th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East 13th Street
-
8
Turn right onto Dayton Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Dayton Avenue
-
9
Turn left onto East Riverside Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · East Riverside Road
-
10
At the end of the road, turn right onto Grand Avenue
2.8 mi · 4 min · Grand Avenue
-
11
Turn left onto 170th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · 170th Street
-
12
Continue on East Mathews Drive
157 m · 14 sec · East Mathews Drive
-
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mathews Drive
35 m · 3 sec · Mathews Drive
-
14
Exit the roundabout onto Mathews Drive
2644 ft · 1 min · Mathews Drive
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 170th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Gilbert.
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.
West 1st Street
Merge slight left
20.4 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ankeny and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Gilbert.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Gilbert?
The road trip is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?
Huxley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Ankeny and 16 miles from Gilbert.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.26 one way or $8.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ankeny and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Gilbert.
Stop Ideas Near Huxley
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 Huxley.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Gilbert. Straight-line distance: 26.16 mi (42.1 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 Gilbert
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,152 |
| Coordinates | 42.1069300, -93.6496600 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gilbert (-93.64966, 42.10693)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.26 | $8.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.81 | $9.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.26 | $10.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
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 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.