How far is Ankeny, IA from Norwalk, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Norwalk, IA is about 23.9 miles (38.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18 miles (28.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The capital of Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Norwalk.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Norwalk.
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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
1.4 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-35 south: Des Moines
1978 ft · 31 sec
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5
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 5 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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7
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
2057 ft · 56 sec
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10
Turn left onto East 6th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · East 6th Street
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11
Continue on Southeast 6th Street
1734 ft · 39 sec · Southeast 6th Street
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12
Turn right onto Scott Avenue
1563 ft · 31 sec · Scott Avenue
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13
Continue on Southeast 1st Street
2844 ft · 1 min · Southeast 1st Street
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14
Continue on Indianola Road
2890 ft · 1 min · Indianola Road
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15
Turn left onto Bancroft Street
721 ft · 17 sec · Bancroft Street
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16
Turn right onto Southwest 9th Street
5.5 mi · 10 min · Southwest 9th Street
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17
Continue on County Road R63
1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R63
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18
Turn right onto County Road G14
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road G14
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19
Continue on North Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Main Street
25 m · 4 sec · Main Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Norwalk.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Southwest 9th Street
Turn right onto Southwest 9th Street
5.5 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers near Norwalk.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Norwalk?
The road trip is about 23.9 miles (38.4 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Des Moines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Ankeny and 11.9 miles from Norwalk.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18 miles (28.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.17 one way or $6.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers near Norwalk.
Stop Ideas Near Des Moines
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 Des Moines.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Norwalk. Straight-line distance: 17.96 mi (28.91 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 Norwalk
City in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 12,449 |
| Coordinates | 41.4755500, -93.6788300 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
End: Norwalk (-93.67883, 41.47555)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.17 | $6.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.57 | $7.15 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.46 | $8.91 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.