How far is Knoxville, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Knoxville, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 48 miles (77.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m 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
48.01 mi
00h 51m
Flight
38.18 mi
61.44 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Knoxville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
38.18 mi
Kilometers
61.44 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.01 mi
Kilometers
77.26 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Sun, Apr 19, 6:22 AM CDT
Return by in Knoxville
Sun, Apr 19, 7:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Knoxville
2026-04-19T05:30
Arrive Ankeny
Sun, Apr 19, 6:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Knoxville
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
Carlisle
IA

City in Warren and Polk counties in the U.

From Knoxville
23.9 mi
00h 25m
To Ankeny
24 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph WNW
Destination
57°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Lincoln Street

    11 m · 3 sec · North Lincoln Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Pleasant Street

    2673 ft · 53 sec · West Pleasant Street

  3. 3

    Continue on McKimber Street

    1255 ft · 25 sec · McKimber Street

  4. 4

    Continue on McKimber Drive

    2817 ft · 56 sec · McKimber Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    3148 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    6.7 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Turn right

    575 ft · 7 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 5

    18.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 5

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    2879 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    10.3 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

    2714 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis

    2751 ft · 52 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1602 ft · 39 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail

    78 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  21. 21

    Turn left 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 Knoxville 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
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 5
18.8 mi · 39%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi · 21%
McKimber Drive
7.79 mi · 16%
I 35 North
4.7 mi · 10%
I 80 West
2.06 mi · 4%
East 1st Street
1.54 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 5

Continue on State Highway 5

18.2 mi · 00h 21m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
38.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Carlisle
00h 25m from Knoxville
Leave By
4:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Knoxville and Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 48 miles (77.3 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?

Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Knoxville and 24 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 38.2 miles (61.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.37 one way or $12.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Knoxville and Sunny near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Carlisle

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

56 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

88 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

105 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Knoxville and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 38.18 mi (61.44 km).

Knoxville

#1 Knoxville

City in and seat of Marion County, Iowa, United States

Population7,082
Coordinates41.3208300, -93.1093700
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: North Lincoln Street (-93.109482, 41.32083)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 77 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.69 gal
6.41 L · about $6.37
Round trip
$12.75
3.38 gal · 12.82 L
Estimated CO2
15 kg one way
Round trip: 30 kg / 66 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.37 $12.75
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.19 $14.38
Premium $4.65 $7.87 $15.73
Diesel $5.30 $8.96 $17.93

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

There is no time difference between Knoxville and Ankeny. The current time is 05:30:22.

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.