How far is Bedford, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Bedford, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 128.6 miles (207 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 93.6 miles (150.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 26m 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
128.61 mi
02h 13m
Flight
93.57 mi
150.59 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bedford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
93.57 mi
Kilometers
150.59 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.61 mi
Kilometers
206.97 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 9:49 PM CDT
Return by in Bedford
Sun, Apr 19, 12:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bedford
2026-04-18T19:36
Arrive Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 9:49 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bedford
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
Weldon
IA

City in Iowa, USA

From Bedford
64.1 mi
01h 06m
To Ankeny
64.6 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Madison Street

    696 ft · 14 sec · Madison Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Pearl Street

    2337 ft · 47 sec · Pearl Street

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on Pearl Street

    670 ft · 13 sec · Pearl Street

  4. 4

    Continue on County Road N44

    2035 ft · 41 sec · County Road N44

  5. 5

    Turn right onto State Highway 2

    12.6 mi · 19 min · State Highway 2

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 2

    2.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 2

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 2

    33.6 mi · 49 min · State Highway 2

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left

    1576 ft · 38 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    71.2 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City

    1915 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Southwest State Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 2
120 mi · 93%
Northwest 2nd Street
2.75 mi · 2%
Southwest State Street
2.51 mi · 2%
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.87 mi · 1%
Pearl Street
0.57 mi
County Road N44
0.39 mi
Longest Stretch

State Highway 2

Merge slight left

71.2 mi · 01h 18m

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 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35 mi
93.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Weldon
01h 06m from Bedford
Leave By
2:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Bedford and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 128.6 miles (207 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?

Weldon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Bedford and 64.6 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 93.6 miles (150.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 2:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.12 one way or $34.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Bedford and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Weldon

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

16 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

55 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

112 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bedford and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 93.57 mi (150.59 km).

Bedford

#1 Bedford

Town in Taylor County, Iowa, United States

Population1,380
Coordinates40.6669300, -94.7213600
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: Madison Street (-94.721384, 40.66693)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 207 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.54 gal
17.18 L · about $17.12
Round trip
$34.24
9.08 gal · 34.36 L
Estimated CO2
40.3 kg one way
Round trip: 80.7 kg / 178 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.12 $34.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.31 $38.62
Premium $4.65 $21.13 $42.26
Diesel $5.30 $24.08 $48.16

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Bedford and Ankeny. The current time is 19:36:06.

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.