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

The driving distance from Le Mars, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 207.7 miles (334.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
207.63 mi
03h 19m
Flight
150.13 mi
241.61 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Le Mars.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.13 mi
Kilometers
241.61 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
207.63 mi
Kilometers
334.15 km
Drive Time
03h 19m

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 03h 19m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Fri, Apr 17, 1:10 AM CDT
Return by in Le Mars
Fri, Apr 17, 4:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Le Mars
2026-04-16T21:50
Arrive Ankeny
Fri, Apr 17, 1:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 19m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Le Mars
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Rockwell City
IA

City in and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States

From Le Mars
103.4 mi
01h 39m
To Ankeny
104.3 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S
Destination
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Street Northeast

    1719 ft · 1 min · 1st Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue Northeast

    617 ft · 16 sec · 5th Avenue Northeast

  3. 3

    Continue on Lincoln Street Northeast

    1.1 km · 1 min · Lincoln Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Road K64

    5 mi · 7 min · County Road K64

  6. 6

    Continue on Oyens Avenue

    7 mi · 10 min · Oyens Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto C 60

    2 mi · 3 min · C 60

  8. 8

    Turn right onto County Road C66

    2.4 mi · 3 min · County Road C66

  9. 9

    Continue on 310th Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 310th Street

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto County Highway C66

    1.3 km · 1 min · County Highway C66

  11. 11

    Continue on Main Street

    1311 ft · 52 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto East 3rd Street

    2663 ft · 1 min · East 3rd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 320th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Lee Avenue

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Lee Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  17. 17

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  18. 18

    Continue on 220th Street

    93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    49.1 mi · 53 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1422 ft · 35 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right

    92 m · 9 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
93.4 mi · 45%
I 35 South
49.8 mi · 24%
Highway 20
19 mi · 9%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 4%
Oyens Avenue
7.04 mi · 3%
Lee Avenue
5.42 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

93.4 mi · 01h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 19m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+57.6 mi
150.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rockwell City
01h 39m from Le Mars
Leave By
10:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Le Mars and Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 207.7 miles (334.2 km) and usually takes 03h 19m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.4 miles from Le Mars and 104.3 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 150.1 miles (241.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.64 one way or $55.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Le Mars and Sunny near Ankeny.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Le Mars and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 150.13 mi (241.61 km).

Le Mars

#1 Le Mars

City in Iowa, United States

Population10,195
Coordinates42.7941600, -96.1655800
Altitude376
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Street Northeast (-96.165582, 42.794299)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 334 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.33 gal
27.73 L · about $27.64
Round trip
$55.28
14.66 gal · 55.46 L
Estimated CO2
65.1 kg one way
Round trip: 130.3 kg / 287 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.64 $55.28
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.17 $62.35
Premium $4.65 $34.11 $68.23
Diesel $5.30 $38.88 $77.76

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Le Mars and Ankeny. The current time is 21:50:40.

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.