How far is Jefferson, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Jefferson, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.4 miles (71.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m 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 01h 05m.
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 Dallas County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Jefferson and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson and Ankeny.
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1
Start on West Lincolnway Street
7 m · 4 sec · West Lincolnway Street
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2
Turn right onto South Elm Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Elm Street
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3
Continue on N Avenue
1.1 km · 55 sec · N Avenue
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4
Continue on South Elm Street
1927 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street
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5
Continue on Neola Avenue
8.5 mi · 12 min · Neola Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 4
1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 4
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
2276 ft · 35 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.3 mi · 24 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
16.5 mi · 20 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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10
Take the exit straight toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
2043 ft · 56 sec
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11
Continue on Northwest Saylorville Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Saylorville Drive
41 m · 2 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
86 m · 5 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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14
Continue on Northwest 112th Street
2287 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 112th Street
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15
Continue on Mile Long Bridge
1.5 km · 2 min · Mile Long Bridge
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16
Continue on West Bridge Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Bridge Road
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17
Turn right onto Northwest Polk City Drive
3.8 mi · 5 min · Northwest Polk City Drive
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18
Turn left onto West 1st Street
3.2 mi · 7 min · West 1st Street
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19
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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20
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Jefferson and Ankeny.
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.
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
17.3 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Jefferson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Jefferson to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 57.5 miles (92.6 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Perry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.7 miles from Jefferson and 28.8 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.4 miles (71.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 4:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.66 one way or $15.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Jefferson and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Perry
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 Perry.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Jefferson and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 44.33 mi (71.35 km).
#1 Jefferson
City in Greene County, Iowa
| Population | 4,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0152600, -94.3774700 |
| Altitude | 325 |
| 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: 93 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.66 | $15.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.63 | $17.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.45 | $18.90 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.77 | $21.53 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.