How far is Ankeny, IA from Laurens, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Laurens, IA is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100 miles (161 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
143.91 mi
02h 55m
Flight
100.06 mi
161.03 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
100.06 mi
Kilometers
161.03 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.91 mi
Kilometers
231.6 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Laurens
Sun, May 31, 8:59 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Sun, May 31, 11:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-05-31T06:04
Arrive Laurens
Sun, May 31, 8:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 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
Duncombe
IA

City in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States

From Ankeny
71.9 mi
01h 27m
To Laurens
72 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 17 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    49.6 mi · 54 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    56.1 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas

    2133 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Marshall Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on South East Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Marengo Avenue

    2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Southwest 7th Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on 220th Avenue

    5.5 mi · 8 min · 220th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Cummins Road

    2 mi · 3 min · Cummins Road

  18. 18

    Continue on 450th Street

    6.1 mi · 8 min · 450th Street

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto State Highway 10

    1.4 km · 1 min · State Highway 10

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South 3rd Street

    1402 ft · 46 sec · South 3rd Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    38 m · 4 sec · West Main Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
56.4 mi · 39%
West 1st Street
51.5 mi · 36%
220th Avenue
16.9 mi · 12%
450th Street
6.07 mi · 4%
Marengo Avenue
4.78 mi · 3%
Marshall Avenue
2.15 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

56.1 mi · 01h 05m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.9 mi
100 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Duncombe
01h 27m from Ankeny
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Laurens.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Duncombe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.9 miles from Ankeny and 72 miles from Laurens.

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

The direct path is about 100 miles (161 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.16 one way or $38.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Laurens.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Laurens. Straight-line distance: 100.06 mi (161.03 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Laurens

City in Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States

Population1,126
Coordinates42.8466400, -94.8519300
Altitude399
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Laurens (-94.85193, 42.84664)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.08 gal
19.22 L · about $19.16
Round trip
$38.31
10.16 gal · 38.44 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.3 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.16 $38.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.61 $43.21
Premium $4.65 $23.64 $47.28
Diesel $5.30 $26.94 $53.89

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Laurens. The current time is 06:04:03.

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.