How far is Ankeny, IA from Leon, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Leon, IA is about 80.2 miles (129 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 68.8 miles (110.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 13m 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
80.13 mi
01h 36m
Flight
68.8 mi
110.72 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
68.8 mi
Kilometers
110.72 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
80.13 mi
Kilometers
128.96 km
Drive Time
01h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Leon
Tue, Jun 2, 7:59 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Tue, Jun 2, 9:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-06-02T06:22
Arrive Leon
Tue, Jun 2, 7:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:37 AM to 11:37 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:16 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
Saint Charles
IA

City in Madison County, Iowa

From Ankeny
40.1 mi
00h 48m
To Leon
40 mi
00h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Southwest State Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Northwest 2nd Street

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right

    2024 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    11.3 mi · 13 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    50.5 mi · 55 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Webb

    1651 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 120th Street

    1038 ft · 21 sec · 120th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Line Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Line Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 120th Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · 120th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    9.4 mi · 13 min

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Northwest Church Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northwest 2nd Street
64.8 mi · 81%
Southwest State Street
2.52 mi · 3%
120th Street
1.19 mi · 1%
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.87 mi · 1%
Line Street
0.74 mi · 1%
Southwest Walnut Street
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

Northwest 2nd Street

Keep slight left

50.5 mi · 00h 55m

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 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.4 mi
68.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Charles
00h 48m from Ankeny
Leave By
3:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Ankeny and Mostly Sunny near Leon.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 80.2 miles (129 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?

Saint Charles is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.1 miles from Ankeny and 40 miles from Leon.

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

The direct path is about 68.8 miles (110.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.4 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 3:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.67 one way or $21.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ankeny and Mostly Sunny near Leon.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Charles

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

28 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

53 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Leon. Straight-line distance: 68.8 mi (110.72 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Leon

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,808
Coordinates40.7397200, -93.7477200
Altitude343
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Leon (-93.74772, 40.73972)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.83 gal
10.7 L · about $10.67
Round trip
$21.34
5.66 gal · 21.4 L
Estimated CO2
25.2 kg one way
Round trip: 50.3 kg / 111 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.67 $21.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.04 $24.07
Premium $4.65 $13.17 $26.34
Diesel $5.30 $15.01 $30.02

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Leon. The current time is 06:22:11.

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.