How far is Ankeny, IA from Shenandoah, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Shenandoah, IA is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
154.53 mi
03h 12m
Flight
113.39 mi
182.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ankeny.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
113.39 mi
Kilometers
182.49 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.53 mi
Kilometers
248.7 km
Drive Time
03h 12m

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 03h 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Shenandoah
Thu, Apr 30, 6:43 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 9:55 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-30T03:30
Arrive Shenandoah
Thu, Apr 30, 6:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ankeny
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Brayton
IA

Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America

From Ankeny
77.2 mi
01h 36m
To Shenandoah
77.4 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph N
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

    82.7 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan

    1824 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight

    14 mi · 21 min

  11. 11

    Turn right

    38.8 mi · 55 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Sheridan Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Blossom Street

    30 m · 10 sec · South Blossom Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Clarinda Avenue

    33 m · 5 sec · West Clarinda Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Clarinda Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 West
82.7 mi · 53%
Northwest 2nd Street
14.2 mi · 9%
Southwest State Street
2.52 mi · 2%
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.87 mi · 1%
West Sheridan Avenue
0.66 mi
Southwest Walnut Street
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

I 80 West

Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha

82.7 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.1 mi
113.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brayton
01h 36m from Ankeny
Leave By
10:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Ankeny and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Shenandoah.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?

Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Ankeny and 77.4 miles from Shenandoah.

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

The direct path is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 10:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.55 one way or $41.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Ankeny and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Shenandoah.

Stop Ideas Near Brayton

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

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

RAIL

Creston

72 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

90 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

112 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Shenandoah. Straight-line distance: 113.39 mi (182.49 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

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

#2 Shenandoah

Town in Page County, Virginia, United States

Population4,783
Coordinates40.7655500, -95.3722100
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Shenandoah (-95.37221, 40.76555)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 249 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.45 gal
20.64 L · about $20.55
Round trip
$41.10
10.9 gal · 41.28 L
Estimated CO2
48.4 kg one way
Round trip: 96.9 kg / 214 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.55 $41.10
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.18 $46.36
Premium $4.65 $25.36 $50.73
Diesel $5.30 $28.91 $57.81

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Shenandoah. The current time is 03:30:42.

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.