How far is Ankeny, IA from Tripoli, IA?

The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Tripoli, IA is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 101.5 miles (163.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
142.42 mi
02h 52m
Flight
101.48 mi
163.31 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ankeny.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
101.48 mi
Kilometers
163.31 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
142.42 mi
Kilometers
229.21 km
Drive Time
02h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tripoli
Sat, Apr 18, 6:49 AM CDT
Return by in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 9:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ankeny
2026-04-18T03:57
Arrive Tripoli
Sat, Apr 18, 6:49 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ankeny
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Owasa
IA

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

From Ankeny
71.1 mi
01h 26m
To Tripoli
71.3 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph NW
Destination
46°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1707 ft · 42 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    49.3 mi · 53 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2998 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    53.9 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

    2133 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Grundy Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  10. 10

    Continue on University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road

    2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo

    1.4 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport

    2340 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

    1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Airline Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Logan Avenue

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Larrabee Avenue

    11.3 mi · 13 min · Larrabee Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 170th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 170th Street

  22. 22

    Continue on 7th Avenue Southwest

    2681 ft · 51 sec · 7th Avenue Southwest

  23. 23

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    2086 ft · 35 sec · South Main Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
24 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
54.5 mi · 38%
West 1st Street
51.1 mi · 36%
Larrabee Avenue
11.3 mi · 8%
Logan Avenue
6.91 mi · 5%
University Avenue
3.54 mi · 2%
170th Street
3.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

53.9 mi · 01h 02m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.9 mi
101.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
01h 26m from Ankeny
Leave By
12:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ankeny and Chance Rain Showers near Tripoli.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.1 miles from Ankeny and 71.3 miles from Tripoli.

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

The direct path is about 101.5 miles (163.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 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 12:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.93 one way or $37.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.6 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 Tripoli.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Tripoli. Straight-line distance: 101.48 mi (163.31 km).

Ankeny

#1 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Tripoli

City in Iowa, United States

Population1,375
Coordinates42.8080400, -92.2582300
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Ankeny (-93.60577, 41.72971)
End: Tripoli (-92.25823, 42.80804)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 229 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.02 gal
19.02 L · about $18.93
Round trip
$37.86
10.04 gal · 38.04 L
Estimated CO2
44.6 kg one way
Round trip: 89.2 kg / 197 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $18.93 $37.86
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.35 $42.70
Premium $4.65 $23.36 $46.73
Diesel $5.30 $26.63 $53.25

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

There is no time difference between Ankeny and Tripoli. The current time is 03:57:12.

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.