How far is Denison, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Denison, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 92.2 miles (148.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denison and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denison and Ankeny.
-
1
Start on North Main Street
1961 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
-
2
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
2582 ft · 1 min · 4th Avenue South
-
3
Keep slight left to continue on US 30 West, US 59 South, IA 141 East: Dunlap, Harlan
2 mi · 3 min
-
4
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 8 min
-
5
Turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
13.7 mi · 19 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
-
6
Continue on West 6th Street
1350 ft · 21 sec · West 6th Street
-
7
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
34.3 mi · 48 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
-
8
Continue on Railway Street
2631 ft · 55 sec · Railway Street
-
9
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
3.4 mi · 5 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.3 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
-
11
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
16.5 mi · 20 min · Northwest Granger Drive
-
12
Take the exit straight toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
2043 ft · 56 sec
-
13
Continue on Northwest Saylorville Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest Saylorville Drive
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Saylorville Drive
41 m · 2 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
-
15
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
86 m · 5 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
-
16
Continue on Northwest 112th Street
2287 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 112th Street
-
17
Continue on Mile Long Bridge
1.5 km · 2 min · Mile Long Bridge
-
18
Continue on West Bridge Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Bridge Road
-
19
Turn right onto Northwest Polk City Drive
3.8 mi · 5 min · Northwest Polk City Drive
-
20
Turn left onto West 1st Street
3.2 mi · 7 min · West 1st Street
-
21
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
-
22
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denison and Ankeny.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
34.3 mi · 00h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Denison 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 Denison to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 105.7 miles (170.1 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Bayard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.8 miles from Denison and 52.9 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 92.2 miles (148.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 2:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.07 one way or $28.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Denison and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Bayard
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bayard.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denison and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 92.18 mi (148.35 km).
#1 Denison
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 8,249 |
| Coordinates | 42.0177700, -95.3552800 |
| Altitude | 391 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ankeny
The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 70,068 |
| Coordinates | 41.7297100, -93.6057700 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 170 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.07 | $28.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.86 | $31.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.36 | $34.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.78 | $39.57 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.