How far is Le Claire, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Le Claire, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 177 miles (284.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.6 miles (271.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 37m 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
176.94 mi
02h 48m
Flight
168.62 mi
271.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Le Claire.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.62 mi
Kilometers
271.37 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
176.94 mi
Kilometers
284.75 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 12:15 PM CDT
Return by in Le Claire
Thu, Apr 30, 3:04 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Le Claire
2026-04-30T09:27
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 12:15 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:52 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Le Claire
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Williamsburg
IA

City in Iowa

From Le Claire
88.4 mi
01h 24m
To Ankeny
88.6 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Le Claire and Ankeny.

  1. 1

    Start on Jones Street

    14 m · 9 sec · Jones Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Cody Road

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North Cody Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    2455 ft · 60 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    166.9 mi · 3 hr 2 min

  5. 5

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

    2714 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis

    2751 ft · 52 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1602 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail

    78 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Le Claire and Ankeny.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Cody Road
169 mi · 96%
I 35 North
4.7 mi · 3%
East 1st Street
1.54 mi · 1%
I-35 north
1.37 mi · 1%
1st Street
0.3 mi
Southwest Walnut Street
0.16 mi
Longest Stretch

North Cody Road

Merge slight left

167 mi · 03h 02m

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
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.4 mi
168.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williamsburg
01h 24m from Le Claire
Leave By
12:52 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Le Claire and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Le Claire to Ankeny?

The road trip is about 177 miles (284.8 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

Williamsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Le Claire and 88.6 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 168.6 miles (271.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 12:52 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.53 one way or $47.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Le Claire and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Williamsburg

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

79 mi away
210 West Main Street
RAIL

Mount Pleasant

86 mi away
418 North Adams Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Le Claire and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 168.62 mi (271.37 km).

Le Claire

#1 Le Claire

City in Scott County, Iowa, United States of America

Population3,955
Coordinates41.5986400, -90.3434600
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: Jones Street (-90.34346, 41.598576)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 285 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.24 gal
23.63 L · about $23.53
Round trip
$47.06
12.48 gal · 47.26 L
Estimated CO2
55.5 kg one way
Round trip: 110.9 kg / 244 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.53 $47.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.54 $53.08
Premium $4.65 $29.04 $58.08
Diesel $5.30 $33.10 $66.19

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Le Claire and Ankeny. The current time is 09:27:27.

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.