How far is Ankeny, IA from Sheldon, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Sheldon, IA is about 217.4 miles (349.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 152.4 miles (245.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 04h 27m.
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.
Human settlement in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Sheldon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Sheldon.
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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
5.5 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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27
Turn right
7.1 mi · 8 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward CR L26, IA 60 Business: 2nd Avenue
1660 ft · 44 sec
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29
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · 2nd Avenue
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30
Turn right onto 9th Street
8 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Sheldon.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms near Sheldon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Sheldon?
The road trip is about 217.4 miles (349.9 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Jolley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.6 miles from Ankeny and 108.9 miles from Sheldon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 152.4 miles (245.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 65 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 8:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.92 one way or $57.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ankeny and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sheldon.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Sheldon. Straight-line distance: 152.36 mi (245.2 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 Sheldon
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,071 |
| Coordinates | 43.1810900, -95.8561300 |
| Altitude | 435 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sheldon (-95.85613, 43.18109)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 350 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.92 | $57.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.62 | $65.24 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $40.68 | $81.36 |
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.