How far is Ankeny, IA from Iowa Falls, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Iowa Falls, IA is about 72.9 miles (117.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.7 miles (92.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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
72.98 mi
01h 27m
Flight
57.71 mi
92.87 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
57.71 mi
Kilometers
92.87 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.98 mi
Kilometers
117.45 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 01h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Iowa Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 2:29 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 3:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-23T01:01
Arrive Iowa Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 2:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:36 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
Randall
IA

City in Iowa, USA

From Ankeny
36.5 mi
00h 43m
To Iowa Falls
36.5 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 24 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 26 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Iowa Falls.

  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

    49.3 mi · 53 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2998 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    15.1 mi · 17 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 65: Iowa Falls, Hubbard

    1747 ft · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left

    5.1 mi · 9 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Rocksylvania Avenue

    2967 ft · 1 min · Rocksylvania Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Commercial Street

    101 m · 9 sec · Commercial Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Commercial Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West 1st Street
51.1 mi · 70%
US 20 East
15.6 mi · 21%
Rocksylvania Avenue
0.56 mi · 1%
US 65
0.33 mi
Southwest Walnut Street
0.16 mi
Commercial Street
0.06 mi
Longest Stretch

West 1st Street

Merge slight left

49.3 mi · 00h 53m

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
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.2 mi
57.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Randall
00h 43m from Ankeny
Leave By
3:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ankeny and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Iowa Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Iowa Falls?

The road trip is about 72.9 miles (117.4 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Randall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Ankeny and 36.5 miles from Iowa Falls.

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

The direct path is about 57.7 miles (92.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 3:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.73 one way or $19.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ankeny and Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Iowa Falls.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Iowa Falls. Straight-line distance: 57.71 mi (92.87 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Iowa Falls

#2 Iowa Falls

City in Iowa, United States

Population4,940
Coordinates42.5224800, -93.2513100
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Iowa Falls (-93.25131, 42.52248)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 117 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.58 gal
9.75 L · about $9.73
Round trip
$19.46
5.16 gal · 19.5 L
Estimated CO2
22.9 kg one way
Round trip: 45.9 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.73 $19.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.97 $21.95
Premium $4.65 $12.01 $24.01
Diesel $5.30 $13.68 $27.37

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

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Iowa Falls. The current time is 01:01:37.

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.