How far is Chariton, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Chariton, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 65.4 miles (105.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 31m 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
65.36 mi
01h 15m
Flight
51.83 mi
83.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Chariton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.83 mi
Kilometers
83.42 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
65.36 mi
Kilometers
105.19 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 01h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 8:27 AM CDT
Return by in Chariton
Thu, Apr 30, 9:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Chariton
2026-04-30T07:12
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 8:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Chariton
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
Swan
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Chariton
32.6 mi
00h 37m
To Ankeny
32.7 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph WNW
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    22 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Grand Street

    63 m · 11 sec · South Grand Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Court Avenue

    935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North 7th Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 14

    6.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 260th Avenue

    3.6 mi · 6 min · 260th Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on 50th Place

    1.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Place

  8. 8

    Continue on County Highway S45

    1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway S45

  9. 9

    Turn right onto County Highway G76

    2679 ft · 59 sec · County Highway G76

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Northeast Main Street

    933 ft · 24 sec · Northeast Main Street

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street Northwest

    112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest

    141 m · 9 sec · 1st Street Northwest

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road S45

    9.2 mi · 16 min · County Road S45

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    621 ft · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 5

    18.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 5

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right

    2879 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    10.3 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  21. 21

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

    2714 ft · 1 min

  22. 22

    Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis

    2751 ft · 52 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1602 ft · 39 sec

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail

    78 m · 8 sec

  27. 27

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Chariton 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
30 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 5
18.8 mi · 29%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi · 16%
County Road S45
9.3 mi · 14%
State Highway 14
6.42 mi · 10%
I 35 North
4.7 mi · 7%
260th Avenue
3.57 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 5

Continue on State Highway 5

18.2 mi · 00h 21m

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
01h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.6 mi
51.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Swan
00h 37m from Chariton
Leave By
3:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Chariton and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 65.4 miles (105.2 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Swan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.6 miles from Chariton and 32.7 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 51.8 miles (83.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 3:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.71 one way or $17.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Chariton and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Swan

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

61 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Ottumwa station

90 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Creston

99 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Chariton and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 51.83 mi (83.42 km).

Chariton

#1 Chariton

City in Lucas County, Iowa

Population4,103
Coordinates41.0138900, -93.3066000
Altitude313
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: (-93.3066, 41.013888)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 105 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.31 gal
8.73 L · about $8.71
Round trip
$17.42
4.62 gal · 17.46 L
Estimated CO2
20.5 kg one way
Round trip: 41.1 kg / 91 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.71 $17.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.82 $19.65
Premium $4.65 $10.75 $21.50
Diesel $5.30 $12.25 $24.50

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Chariton and Ankeny. The current time is 07:12:12.

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.