How far is Ankeny, IA from Red Oak, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Red Oak, IA is about 127.5 miles (205.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 97.6 miles (157.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m 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 45m.
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.
City in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the US state of Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Red Oak.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Red Oak.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road
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4
Turn left onto Southwest State Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street
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5
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
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7
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
62.3 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 71: Atlantic, Audubon
1922 ft · 49 sec
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10
Turn left onto 650th Street
6.5 mi · 9 min · 650th Street
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11
Turn right onto East 7th Street
3.5 mi · 6 min · East 7th Street
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12
Continue on White Pole Road
757 ft · 20 sec · White Pole Road
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13
Continue on West 7th Street
1 km · 1 min · West 7th Street
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14
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Southwest 7th Street
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15
Continue on White Pole Road
8.9 mi · 13 min · White Pole Road
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16
Turn left onto 550th Street
5.3 mi · 8 min · 550th Street
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17
Continue on Adair Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Adair Street
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18
Continue on 550th Street
4.8 mi · 7 min · 550th Street
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19
Continue on M Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · M Avenue
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20
Continue on 110 Street
14 mi · 21 min · 110 Street
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21
Turn left onto West Hammond Street
2305 ft · 2 min · West Hammond Street
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22
Turn right onto North 7th Street
91 m · 15 sec · North 7th Street
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23
Turn right onto East Reed Street
100 m · 14 sec · East Reed Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Reed Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Red Oak.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 80 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
62.3 mi · 01h 07m
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 Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Red Oak?
The road trip is about 127.5 miles (205.2 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Adair is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.6 miles from Ankeny and 63.8 miles from Red Oak.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 97.6 miles (157.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.9 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 12:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.97 one way or $33.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ankeny and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Red Oak.
Stop Ideas Near Adair
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 Adair.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Red Oak. Straight-line distance: 97.61 mi (157.09 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 Red Oak
City in and county seat of Montgomery County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,271 |
| Coordinates | 41.0097200, -95.2255500 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| Country | United States |
End: Red Oak (-95.22555, 41.00972)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 205 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.97 | $33.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.14 | $38.28 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.94 | $41.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.87 | $47.74 |
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.