How far is Malvern, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Malvern, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.3 miles (183.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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
147.62 mi
02h 33m
Flight
114.27 mi
183.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Malvern.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.27 mi
Kilometers
183.9 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.62 mi
Kilometers
237.57 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Wed, Apr 22, 9:02 PM CDT
Return by in Malvern
Wed, Apr 22, 11:36 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Malvern
2026-04-22T18:29
Arrive Ankeny
Wed, Apr 22, 9:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Malvern
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
Anita
IA

City in Iowa

From Malvern
73.8 mi
01h 16m
To Ankeny
73.9 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 21 mph S
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1.5 km · 3 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on County Highway L63

    1.6 km · 2 min · County Highway L63

  3. 3

    Turn right

    9.6 mi · 14 min

  4. 4

    Turn right

    1060 ft · 43 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right

    20.4 mi · 29 min

  6. 6

    Turn left

    6.4 mi · 9 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    7.5 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right

    1377 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    82.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    12.5 mi · 15 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City

    1915 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Southwest State Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Malvern 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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
County Highway L63
90.8 mi · 61%
I 35
12.5 mi · 8%
Northwest 2nd Street
2.75 mi · 2%
Southwest State Street
2.51 mi · 2%
Main Street
0.93 mi · 1%
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.87 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

County Highway L63

Merge slight left

82.1 mi · 01h 28m

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 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.3 mi
114.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Anita
01h 16m from Malvern
Leave By
1:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Malvern and Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 147.6 miles (237.6 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?

Anita is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Malvern and 73.9 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 114.3 miles (183.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 1:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Anita

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

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

RAIL

Creston

55 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

95 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Omaha

99 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Malvern and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 114.27 mi (183.9 km).

Malvern

#1 Malvern

City in Mills County, Iowa, United States

Population1,105
Coordinates41.0027800, -95.5852800
Altitude307
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-95.585124, 41.00278)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.72 L · about $19.65
Round trip
$39.29
10.42 gal · 39.44 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.65 $39.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.16 $44.32
Premium $4.65 $24.25 $48.49
Diesel $5.30 $27.63 $55.27

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Malvern and Ankeny. The current time is 18:29:17.

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.