How far is Norwalk, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Norwalk, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18 miles (28.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m 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 36m.
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.
The capital of Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Norwalk and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norwalk and Ankeny.
-
1
Start on Main Street
25 m · 9 sec · Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto North Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue
-
3
Continue on County Road G14
1.4 mi · 2 min · County Road G14
-
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road R63
1.2 mi · 2 min · County Road R63
-
5
Continue on Southwest 9th Street
5.9 mi · 11 min · Southwest 9th Street
-
6
Turn straight onto Southwest 9th Street
566 ft · 13 sec · Southwest 9th Street
-
7
Continue on Southwest 8th Street
1264 ft · 27 sec · Southwest 8th Street
-
8
Continue on 8th Street
2373 ft · 55 sec · 8th Street
-
9
Turn right onto Locust Street
1 mi · 2 min · Locust Street
-
10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1493 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
-
11
Take the ramp right toward I-235 east
1622 ft · 36 sec
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 69: East 14th Street, East 15th Street
1.6 km · 2 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
4.8 mi · 6 min · John MacVicar Freeway
-
14
Continue straight
4 mi · 5 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1602 ft · 39 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail
78 m · 8 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street
-
18
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
-
19
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Norwalk and Ankeny.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Southwest 9th Street
Continue on Southwest 9th Street
5.87 mi · 00h 11m
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 Rain Showers leaving Norwalk and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Norwalk to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Des Moines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Norwalk and 18.6 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18 miles (28.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 7:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.07 one way or $8.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Norwalk and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Des Moines
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 Des Moines.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Norwalk and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 17.96 mi (28.91 km).
#1 Norwalk
City in Warren County and Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 12,449 |
| Coordinates | 41.4755500, -93.6788300 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| 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: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.07 | $8.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.59 | $9.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.03 | $10.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.73 | $11.46 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.