How far is Ankeny, IA from Le Mars, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Le Mars, IA is about 208.4 miles (335.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
208.41 mi
04h 10m
Flight
150.13 mi
241.61 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ankeny.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.13 mi
Kilometers
241.61 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.41 mi
Kilometers
335.41 km
Drive Time
04h 10m

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 04h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Le Mars
Fri, Apr 17, 3:19 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Fri, Apr 17, 7:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-16T23:09
Arrive Le Mars
Fri, Apr 17, 3:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:10 AM to 12:10 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ankeny
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Rockwell City
IA

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

From Ankeny
104.1 mi
02h 05m
To Le Mars
104.3 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
84°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Le Mars.

  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

    121.1 mi · 2 hr 21 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto State Highway 140

    11 mi · 15 min · State Highway 140

  12. 12

    Turn left onto C38

    2 mi · 3 min · C38

  13. 13

    Continue on 210th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 210th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on C38

    1 mi · 1 min · C38

  15. 15

    Turn right onto County Road K64

    4 mi · 6 min · County Road K64

  16. 16

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  17. 17

    Continue on Lincoln Street Northeast

    1.1 km · 1 min · Lincoln Street Northeast

  18. 18

    Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast

    617 ft · 18 sec · 5th Avenue Northeast

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northeast

    1719 ft · 59 sec · 1st Street Northeast

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street Northeast

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
121 mi · 58%
West 1st Street
51.5 mi · 25%
State Highway 140
11 mi · 5%
Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 3%
State Highway 3
4.69 mi · 2%
County Road K64
4.02 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

121 mi · 02h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+58.3 mi
150.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rockwell City
02h 05m from Ankeny
Leave By
8:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ankeny and Sunny near Le Mars.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Le Mars?

The road trip is about 208.4 miles (335.4 km) and usually takes 04h 10m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.1 miles from Ankeny and 104.3 miles from Le Mars.

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

The direct path is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.72 one way or $55.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ankeny and Sunny near Le Mars.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Le Mars. Straight-line distance: 150.13 mi (241.61 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Le Mars

#2 Le Mars

City in Iowa, United States

Population10,195
Coordinates42.7941600, -96.1655800
Altitude376
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Le Mars (-96.16558, 42.79416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 335 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.35 gal
27.84 L · about $27.72
Round trip
$55.43
14.7 gal · 55.68 L
Estimated CO2
65.3 kg one way
Round trip: 130.6 kg / 288 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.72 $55.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.26 $62.52
Premium $4.65 $34.21 $68.41
Diesel $5.30 $38.98 $77.97

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Le Mars. The current time is 23:09:29.

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.