How far is Ankeny, IA from Harlan, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Harlan, IA is about 112.1 miles (180.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 88.9 miles (143.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 22m 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
112.09 mi
02h 11m
Flight
88.89 mi
143.05 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
88.89 mi
Kilometers
143.05 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
112.09 mi
Kilometers
180.39 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Harlan
Fri, Apr 17, 11:08 PM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 1:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-17T20:57
Arrive Harlan
Fri, Apr 17, 11:08 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:08 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

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
Casey
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Ankeny
55.9 mi
01h 05m
To Harlan
56.2 mi
01h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
74°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 21 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Southwest State Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Northwest 2nd Street

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    11.3 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

    82.7 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan

    1681 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right

    8.2 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 800th Street

    1965 ft · 39 sec · 800th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Linden Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Linden Road

  13. 13

    Continue on 12th Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 12th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Willow Street

    17 m · 2 sec · Willow Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Willow Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
82.7 mi · 74%
Northwest 2nd Street
14.2 mi · 13%
Southwest State Street
2.52 mi · 2%
12th Street
1.49 mi · 1%
Linden Road
1.08 mi · 1%
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

82.7 mi · 01h 29m

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
02h 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.2 mi
88.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Casey
01h 05m from Ankeny
Leave By
2:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Harlan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 112.1 miles (180.4 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?

Casey is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.9 miles from Ankeny and 56.2 miles from Harlan.

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

The direct path is about 88.9 miles (143.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 2:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.90 one way or $29.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Harlan.

Stop Ideas Near Casey

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

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

RAIL

Creston

52 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

82 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Harlan. Straight-line distance: 88.89 mi (143.05 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Harlan

City in Iowa, USA

Population4,795
Coordinates41.6530400, -95.3255500
Altitude382
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Harlan (-95.32555, 41.65304)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 180 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.95 gal
14.97 L · about $14.90
Round trip
$29.79
7.9 gal · 29.94 L
Estimated CO2
35.1 kg one way
Round trip: 70.2 kg / 155 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.90 $29.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.80 $33.60
Premium $4.65 $18.38 $36.77
Diesel $5.30 $20.95 $41.90

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 Harlan. The current time is 20:57:26.

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.