How far is Ankeny, IA from Kalona, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Kalona, IA is about 120.5 miles (194 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.6 miles (160.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m 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
120.54 mi
02h 26m
Flight
99.61 mi
160.31 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
99.61 mi
Kilometers
160.31 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.54 mi
Kilometers
193.99 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kalona
Sat, Apr 18, 8:06 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 10:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-18T05:40
Arrive Kalona
Sat, Apr 18, 8:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:38 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
Malcom
IA

City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States

From Ankeny
60.1 mi
01h 13m
To Kalona
60.4 mi
01h 13m

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
50°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-35 south: Des Moines

    1978 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    955 ft · 13 sec

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 East: Davenport

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    92.7 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR W38: Oxford, Kalona Village Museum

    1093 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Black Hawk Avenue Southwest

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Black Hawk Avenue Southwest

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Black Hawk Avenue Southwest

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Black Hawk Avenue Southwest

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Black Diamond Road Southwest

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Black Diamond Road Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 500th Street Southwest

    1.8 mi · 3 min · 500th Street Southwest

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Highway 1 Southwest

    4 mi · 5 min · Highway 1 Southwest

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 1

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 1

  17. 17

    Continue on 1st Street

    1 km · 58 sec · 1st Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East Avenue

    2300 ft · 41 sec · East Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 5th Street

    1014 ft · 50 sec · 5th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto B Avenue

    11 m · 2 sec · B Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · B Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
93.6 mi · 78%
Black Hawk Avenue Southwest
5.79 mi · 5%
I-35 south
5.04 mi · 4%
Highway 1 Southwest
4 mi · 3%
Black Diamond Road Southwest
3.25 mi · 3%
Orval Yoder Turnpike Southwest
2.8 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight right

92.7 mi · 01h 40m

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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
99.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Malcom
01h 13m from Ankeny
Leave By
1:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Kalona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 120.5 miles (194 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Malcom is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.1 miles from Ankeny and 60.4 miles from Kalona.

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

The direct path is about 99.6 miles (160.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 1:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.03 one way or $32.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Kalona.

Stop Ideas Near Malcom

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

78 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

117 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Kalona. Straight-line distance: 99.61 mi (160.31 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Kalona

Town in the U.

Population2,560
Coordinates41.4830700, -91.7060000
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Kalona (-91.706, 41.48307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 194 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.25 gal
16.1 L · about $16.03
Round trip
$32.05
8.5 gal · 32.2 L
Estimated CO2
37.8 kg one way
Round trip: 75.5 kg / 166 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.03 $32.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.08 $36.15
Premium $4.65 $19.78 $39.56
Diesel $5.30 $22.54 $45.08

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 Kalona. The current time is 05:40:17.

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.