How far is Blue Grass, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Blue Grass, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147.5 miles (237.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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
161.72 mi
02h 37m
Flight
147.46 mi
237.32 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Blue Grass.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
147.46 mi
Kilometers
237.32 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.72 mi
Kilometers
260.26 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 4:51 AM CDT
Return by in Blue Grass
Thu, Apr 23, 7:29 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Blue Grass
2026-04-23T02:14
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 4:51 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Blue Grass
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
Ladora
IA

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

From Blue Grass
80.7 mi
01h 18m
To Ankeny
81 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 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 Blue Grass and Ankeny.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blue Grass and Ankeny.

  1. 1

    Start on West Garonne Street

    21 m · 8 sec · West Garonne Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Mississippi Street

    2795 ft · 58 sec · South Mississippi Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 70th Avenue

    4.5 mi · 8 min · 70th Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on South Blue Grass Road

    2815 ft · 56 sec · South Blue Grass Road

  5. 5

    Continue on 70th Avenue

    2591 ft · 57 sec · 70th Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 200th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 200th Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 60th Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · 60th Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on North Plainview Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Plainview Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp sharp left

    1059 ft · 26 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    145 mi · 2 hr 37 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

    2714 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis

    2751 ft · 52 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1602 ft · 39 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail

    78 m · 8 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Plainview Road
146 mi · 90%
70th Avenue
4.99 mi · 3%
I 35 North
4.7 mi · 3%
East 1st Street
1.54 mi · 1%
I-35 north
1.37 mi · 1%
200th Street
0.95 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Plainview Road

Merge slight left

145 mi · 02h 37m

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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.2 mi
147.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ladora
01h 18m from Blue Grass
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Blue Grass 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 Blue Grass to Ankeny?

The road trip is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Ladora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Blue Grass and 81 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 147.5 miles (237.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.53 one way or $43.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Blue Grass and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Ladora

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

84 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

102 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Blue Grass and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 147.46 mi (237.32 km).

Blue Grass

#1 Blue Grass

City in Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa

Population1,660
Coordinates41.5089200, -90.7659800
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: West Garonne Street (-90.765981, 41.508767)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 260 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.71 gal
21.6 L · about $21.53
Round trip
$43.06
11.42 gal · 43.2 L
Estimated CO2
50.7 kg one way
Round trip: 101.5 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.53 $43.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.28 $48.57
Premium $4.65 $26.57 $53.15
Diesel $5.30 $30.29 $60.57

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 Blue Grass and Ankeny. The current time is 02:14:32.

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.