How far is Baxter, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Baxter, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 27.4 miles (44.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.4 miles (39.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
27.43 mi
00h 34m
Flight
24.33 mi
39.16 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Baxter.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.33 mi
Kilometers
39.16 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
27.43 mi
Kilometers
44.14 km
Drive Time
00h 34m

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 00h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM CDT
Return by in Baxter
Thu, Apr 23, 1:33 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Baxter
2026-04-23T00:24
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 12:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Baxter
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Valeria
IA

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

From Baxter
13.7 mi
00h 17m
To Ankeny
13.8 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph S
Destination
74°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 24 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Main Street

    2218 ft · 2 min · South Main Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Buchanan Street

    796 ft · 16 sec · Buchanan Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway F17 West

    4.8 mi · 8 min · Highway F17 West

  4. 4

    Continue on County Highway F17

    2.9 mi · 5 min · County Highway F17

  5. 5

    Turn right onto State Highway 117

    105 m · 6 sec · State Highway 117

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    834 ft · 20 sec

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward US 65 south, IA 330 south: Des Moines

    8.4 mi · 10 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue

    8.5 mi · 13 min · Northeast 94th Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on East 1st Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Northeast 94th Avenue
8.45 mi · 31%
US 65 south
8.37 mi · 31%
Highway F17 West
4.8 mi · 17%
County Highway F17
2.94 mi · 11%
East 1st Street
1.84 mi · 7%
South Main Street
0.42 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Northeast 94th Avenue

Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue

8.45 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 34m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3 mi
24.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Valeria
00h 17m from Baxter
Leave By
7:22 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Baxter and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 27.4 miles (44.1 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Valeria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.7 miles from Baxter and 13.8 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 24.4 miles (39.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.66 one way or $7.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Baxter and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Valeria

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

85 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Creston

114 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Baxter and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 24.33 mi (39.16 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Baxter

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

Population1,132
Coordinates41.8261000, -93.1515900
Altitude306
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: South Main Street (-93.151487, 41.8261)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 44 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.97 gal
3.66 L · about $3.66
Round trip
$7.32
1.94 gal · 7.32 L
Estimated CO2
8.6 kg one way
Round trip: 17.2 kg / 38 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $3.66 $7.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.13 $8.25
Premium $4.65 $4.51 $9.03
Diesel $5.30 $5.14 $10.29

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

There is no time difference between Baxter and Ankeny. The current time is 00:24:32.

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.