How far is Ankeny, IA from Lake City, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Lake City, IA is about 97.3 miles (156.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 68.8 miles (110.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 07m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Lake City.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1707 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
18.1 mi · 20 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Business I 35, US 30: Ames, Iowa State University, Nevada
1652 ft · 40 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Business I 35, US 30 West: Ames, Iowa State University
12.6 mi · 15 min
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8
Continue on 220th Street
23.1 mi · 30 min · 220th Street
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9
Turn right onto 9th Street North
919 ft · 17 sec · 9th Street North
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10
Continue on U Avenue
4.4 mi · 6 min · U Avenue
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11
Continue on Mc Intyre Street
1 km · 1 min · Mc Intyre Street
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12
Continue on U Avenue
6.8 mi · 9 min · U Avenue
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13
Continue on Indiana Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Indiana Avenue
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14
Turn left onto 360th Street
14.9 mi · 20 min · 360th Street
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15
Continue on 5th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 5th Street
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16
Continue on 360th Street
7 mi · 10 min · 360th Street
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17
Continue on East Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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18
Turn right onto North Center Street
14 m · 2 sec · North Center Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Lake City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
220th Street
Continue on 220th Street
23.1 mi · 00h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ankeny and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Lake City?
The road trip is about 97.3 miles (156.6 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.6 miles from Ankeny and 48.7 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 68.8 miles (110.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.5 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 2:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.93 one way or $25.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 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 Lake City.
Stop Ideas Near Beaver
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 Beaver.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 68.82 mi (110.75 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 Lake City
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,642 |
| Coordinates | 42.2674800, -94.7338700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-94.73387, 42.26748)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.93 | $25.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.59 | $29.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.96 | $31.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.19 | $36.39 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.