How far is Cascade, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Cascade, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 162.2 miles (261 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.7 miles (223.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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
162.17 mi
02h 42m
Flight
138.68 mi
223.19 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cascade.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
138.68 mi
Kilometers
223.19 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.17 mi
Kilometers
260.99 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 8:10 AM CDT
Return by in Cascade
Thu, Apr 23, 10:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cascade
2026-04-23T05:28
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, Apr 23, 8:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cascade
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
Keystone
IA

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

From Cascade
78.9 mi
01h 21m
To Ankeny
83.3 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Partly 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 Cascade and Ankeny.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Avenue West

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue West

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    36.4 mi · 42 min

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Turn right

    15.2 mi · 19 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

    1.2 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest

    2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest

  7. 7

    Continue on 73rd Street

    24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines

    1818 ft · 46 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard

    28.2 mi · 32 min · Marshalltown Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue

    8.5 mi · 13 min · Northeast 94th Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on East 1st Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
1st Avenue West
37.9 mi · 23%
Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 23%
Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi · 17%
73rd Street
24.4 mi · 15%
Northeast 94th Avenue
8.45 mi · 5%
16th Avenue Southwest
2.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Continue on Lincoln Highway

37.3 mi · 00h 43m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
138.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Keystone
01h 21m from Cascade
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cascade 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 Cascade to Ankeny?

The road trip is about 162.2 miles (261 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Keystone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.9 miles from Cascade and 83.3 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 138.7 miles (223.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.57 one way or $43.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Keystone

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cascade and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 138.68 mi (223.19 km).

Cascade

#1 Cascade

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,350
Coordinates42.2986200, -91.0148600
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Avenue West (-91.014828, 42.29863)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 261 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.72 gal
21.66 L · about $21.57
Round trip
$43.14
11.44 gal · 43.32 L
Estimated CO2
50.8 kg one way
Round trip: 101.7 kg / 224 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.57 $43.14
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.33 $48.65
Premium $4.65 $26.62 $53.24
Diesel $5.30 $30.34 $60.68

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 Cascade and Ankeny. The current time is 05:28:56.

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.