How far is Muscatine, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Muscatine, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134.1 miles (215.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 28m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Muscatine and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Muscatine and Ankeny.
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1
Start on Walnut Street
48 m · 11 sec · Walnut Street
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2
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
110 m · 18 sec · East 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Mulberry Avenue
101 m · 10 sec · Mulberry Avenue
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East 2nd Street
59 m · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
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5
Exit the roundabout onto East 2nd Street
1 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street
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6
Continue on Park Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Park Avenue
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7
Continue on State Highway 38
7.6 mi · 10 min · State Highway 38
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8
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 7 min
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9
Take the ramp straight
1468 ft · 36 sec
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10
Merge slight left
131.6 mi · 2 hr 22 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
2714 ft · 1 min
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12
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1758 ft · 43 sec
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13
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
2751 ft · 52 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
4.7 mi · 5 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1602 ft · 39 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail
78 m · 8 sec
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17
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street
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18
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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19
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Muscatine 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 38
Merge slight left
132 mi · 02h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Muscatine 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 Muscatine to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km) and usually takes 02h 28m 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?
Victor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Muscatine and 77.7 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134.1 miles (215.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 1:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Muscatine and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Victor
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 Victor.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Muscatine and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 134.11 mi (215.83 km).
#1 Muscatine
City in and county seat of Muscatine County, Iowa
| Population | 23,523 |
| Coordinates | 41.4244700, -91.0432100 |
| Altitude | 177 |
| 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: 250 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.67 | $41.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.50 | $51.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.07 | $58.13 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.