How far is Earlham, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Earlham, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.4 miles (50.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 32m 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 00h 46m.
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.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Earlham and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Earlham and Ankeny.
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1
Start on Northwest Locust Avenue
73 m · 13 sec · Northwest Locust Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Northwest 2nd Street
118 m · 22 sec · Northwest 2nd Street
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3
Turn left onto North Chestnut Avenue
2281 ft · 1 min · North Chestnut Avenue
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4
Continue on County Road P57
1570 ft · 31 sec · County Road P57
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5
Continue on I Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · I Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right toward I-80 east: Des Moines
1947 ft · 48 sec
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7
Merge slight left
18.2 mi · 20 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
12.5 mi · 15 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City
1915 ft · 49 sec
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10
Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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11
Continue on Southwest State Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street
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12
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road
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13
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street
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14
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Earlham 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.
I-80 east
Merge slight left
18.2 mi · 00h 20m
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 Earlham and Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Earlham to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Earlham and 19.9 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.4 miles (50.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.28 one way or $10.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Earlham and Sunny near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Clive
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 Clive.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Earlham and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 31.42 mi (50.56 km).
#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: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.28 | $10.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.95 | $11.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.52 | $13.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.43 | $14.85 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.