How far is Dallas Center, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Dallas Center, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 24.4 miles (39.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.6 miles (29.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 10m 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
24.4 mi
00h 35m
Flight
18.59 mi
29.92 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dallas Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.59 mi
Kilometers
29.92 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
24.4 mi
Kilometers
39.27 km
Drive Time
00h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 1:30 AM CDT
Return by in Dallas Center
Sat, Apr 18, 2:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dallas Center
2026-04-18T00:54
Arrive Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 1:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:35 AM to 7:35 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:20 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Dallas Center
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
Grimes
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Dallas Center
11.1 mi
00h 17m
To Ankeny
13.3 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 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 Dallas Center and Ankeny.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dallas Center and Ankeny.

  1. 1

    Start on Walnut Street

    10 m · 6 sec · Walnut Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 14th Street

    1411 ft · 52 sec · 14th Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Sugar Grove Avenue

    2990 ft · 1 min · Sugar Grove Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on 240th Street

    5.4 mi · 7 min · 240th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on West 1st Street

    2.7 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street

  6. 6

    Continue on East 1st Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 70th Avenue

    29 m · 2 sec · Northwest 70th Avenue

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue

    1982 ft · 39 sec · Northwest 70th Avenue

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 70th Avenue

    39 m · 2 sec · Northwest 70th Avenue

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue

    3004 ft · 1 min · Northwest 70th Avenue

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 70th Avenue

    33 m · 2 sec · Northwest 70th Avenue

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 70th Avenue

    2.7 mi · 5 min · Northwest 70th Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Northwest Beaver Drive

    1.3 km · 2 min · Northwest Beaver Drive

  14. 14

    Continue on Northwest 66th Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Northwest 66th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Northwest 26th Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Northwest 26th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Northwest 78th Avenue

    938 ft · 16 sec · Northwest 78th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Southwest Oralabor Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Southwest Oralabor Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Southwest State Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southwest State Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dallas Center 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
22 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
90.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
240th Street
5.36 mi · 22%
Northwest 70th Avenue
3.7 mi · 15%
West 1st Street
2.71 mi · 11%
East 1st Street
1.6 mi · 7%
Southwest State Street
1.5 mi · 6%
Northwest 26th Street
1.48 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

240th Street

Continue on 240th Street

5.36 mi · 00h 07m

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 35m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.8 mi
18.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grimes
00h 17m from Dallas Center
Leave By
7:20 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Dallas Center 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 Dallas Center to Ankeny?

The road trip is about 24.4 miles (39.3 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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?

Grimes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.1 miles from Dallas Center and 13.3 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 18.6 miles (29.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:20 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.24 one way or $6.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Dallas Center and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Grimes

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

72 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

85 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dallas Center and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 18.59 mi (29.92 km).

Dallas Center

#1 Dallas Center

City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,822
Coordinates41.6844300, -93.9610600
Altitude326
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: Walnut Street (-93.96106, 41.684361)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 39 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.86 gal
3.26 L · about $3.24
Round trip
$6.49
1.72 gal · 6.52 L
Estimated CO2
7.6 kg one way
Round trip: 15.3 kg / 34 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $3.24 $6.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $3.66 $7.32
Premium $4.65 $4.00 $8.00
Diesel $5.30 $4.56 $9.12

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Dallas Center and Ankeny. The current time is 00:54:58.

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.