How far is Ankeny, IA from Rock Rapids, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Rock Rapids, IA is about 247.7 miles (398.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 175.7 miles (282.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 11m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Rock Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Rock Rapids.
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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
1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1707 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
49.6 mi · 54 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
1664 ft · 57 sec
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7
Merge slight left
92.8 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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8
Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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9
Continue on 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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10
Turn left onto Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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11
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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12
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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13
Continue on V Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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14
Turn left onto State Highway 3
1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3
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15
Turn straight onto 530th Street
3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street
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16
Turn right onto State Highway 3
4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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17
Continue on 500th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 3
4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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19
Continue on 490th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street
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20
Turn right onto Ames Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
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21
Continue on D Avenue
5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue
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22
Continue on Nettle Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue
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23
Turn left onto 460th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street
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24
Continue on Garfield Street
2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street
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25
Continue on 460th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street
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26
Turn right onto Log Avenue
5.8 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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27
Continue on County Road S
1437 ft · 36 sec · County Road S
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28
Turn left onto Fir Street
729 ft · 15 sec · Fir Street
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29
Continue on 6th Avenue South
751 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue South
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30
Continue on Cedar Street
1159 ft · 23 sec · Cedar Street
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31
Keep slight left to continue on Birch Street
593 ft · 12 sec · Birch Street
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32
Continue on 400th Street
7.5 mi · 10 min · 400th Street
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33
Turn right onto Jackson Avenue
8 mi · 11 min · Jackson Avenue
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34
Turn left onto 320th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 320th Street
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35
Continue on Black Forest Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Black Forest Road
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36
Continue on 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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37
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 23 min
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Union Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Rock Rapids.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US 20 West
Merge slight left
92.8 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers near Rock Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Rock Rapids?
The road trip is about 247.7 miles (398.7 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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?
Sac City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 123.7 miles from Ankeny and 124 miles from Rock Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 175.7 miles (282.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 72 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 6:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.96 one way or $65.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers near Rock Rapids.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Rock Rapids. Straight-line distance: 175.64 mi (282.66 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 Rock Rapids
City in Iowa
| Population | 2,518 |
| Coordinates | 43.4271900, -96.1758600 |
| Altitude | 423 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rock Rapids (-96.17586, 43.42719)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 399 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.96 | $65.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.17 | $74.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.68 | $81.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.36 | $92.71 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.