How far is Monroe, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Monroe, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Monroe and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe and Ankeny.
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1
Start on North Monroe Street
22 m · 7 sec · North Monroe Street
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2
Turn left onto Washington Street
1222 ft · 54 sec · Washington Street
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3
Turn right onto State Highway 163
2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 163
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4
Take the ramp right
1750 ft · 43 sec
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5
Merge slight right
20.1 mi · 23 min
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6
Take the exit right
2180 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
2714 ft · 1 min
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11
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1758 ft · 43 sec
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12
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
2751 ft · 52 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
4.7 mi · 5 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1602 ft · 39 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail
78 m · 8 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street
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17
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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18
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Monroe and Ankeny.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 163
Merge slight right
20.1 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Monroe and 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 Monroe to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 37.2 miles (59.8 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.5 miles from Monroe and 18.6 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.7 miles (47.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Monroe and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
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 Altoona.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Monroe and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 29.71 mi (47.82 km).
#1 Monroe
City in Jasper County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,905 |
| Coordinates | 41.5222100, -93.1018700 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| 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: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.57 | $11.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.10 | $12.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.95 | $13.90 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.