How far is Eldora, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Eldora, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 69.9 miles (112.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.8 miles (81.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 25m 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
69.89 mi
01h 12m
Flight
50.75 mi
81.68 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eldora.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
50.75 mi
Kilometers
81.68 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.89 mi
Kilometers
112.47 km
Drive Time
01h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, May 14, 5:46 PM CDT
Return by in Eldora
Thu, May 14, 6:59 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eldora
2026-05-14T16:33
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, May 14, 5:46 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eldora
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
Story City
IA

City in Iowa

From Eldora
34.9 mi
00h 36m
To Ankeny
34.9 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 21 mph SE
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 18 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Street

    21 m · 6 sec · Washington Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Edgington Avenue

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Edgington Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 175

    6.9 mi · 10 min · State Highway 175

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  5. 5

    Turn straight

    3.9 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Turn sharp right onto State Highway 175

    7.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 175

  7. 7

    Continue on 330th Street

    5.5 mi · 8 min · 330th Street

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward I-35 south: Des Moines

    1620 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    39.7 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1422 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    92 m · 9 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 3 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 Eldora 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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-35 south
40.1 mi · 57%
State Highway 175
17.2 mi · 25%
330th Street
5.51 mi · 8%
East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2%
Edgington Avenue
1.38 mi · 2%
1st Street
0.33 mi
Longest Stretch

I-35 south

Merge slight left

39.7 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
01h 12m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
50.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Story City
00h 36m from Eldora
Leave By
4:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Eldora and Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 69.9 miles (112.5 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?

Story City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.9 miles from Eldora and 34.9 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 50.8 miles (81.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 4:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.31 one way or $18.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Eldora and Sunny near Ankeny.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eldora and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 50.75 mi (81.68 km).

Eldora

#1 Eldora

City in Hardin County, Iowa, United States

Population2,571
Coordinates42.3608200, -93.0996500
Altitude331
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Street (-93.099519, 42.360822)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 112 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.47 gal
9.34 L · about $9.31
Round trip
$18.63
4.94 gal · 18.68 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 43.9 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.31 $18.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.50 $21.01
Premium $4.65 $11.50 $22.99
Diesel $5.30 $13.10 $26.20

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 · May 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Eldora and Ankeny. The current time is 16:33:22.

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.