How far is Onawa, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Onawa, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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
144.85 mi
02h 42m
Flight
129.8 mi
208.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Onawa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
129.8 mi
Kilometers
208.89 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
144.85 mi
Kilometers
233.11 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Wed, May 13, 12:15 AM CDT
Return by in Onawa
Wed, May 13, 2:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Onawa
2026-05-12T21:33
Arrive Ankeny
Wed, May 13, 12:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:06 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Onawa
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
Marne
IA

Human settlement in Cass County, Iowa, United States of America

From Onawa
87.1 mi
01h 21m
To Ankeny
57.7 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 to 24 mph W
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 10th Street

    9 m · 8 sec · 10th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Iowa Avenue

    1 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 175

    1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 175

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    2024 ft · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    40.5 mi · 43 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    16 mi · 17 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 44 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right

    94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 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 Onawa 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
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 80 East
95.6 mi · 66%
State Highway 175
41.8 mi · 29%
I 880 East
16.8 mi · 12%
I 35
12.5 mi · 9%
Northwest 2nd Street
2.75 mi · 2%
Southwest State Street
2.51 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 80 East

Merge slight right

94.9 mi · 01h 42m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15 mi
129.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marne
01h 21m from Onawa
Leave By
1:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Onawa and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Marne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Onawa and 57.7 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 129.8 miles (208.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 1:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.27 one way or $38.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Onawa and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Marne

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

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

RAIL

Omaha

72 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Creston

77 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Onawa and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 129.8 mi (208.89 km).

Onawa

#1 Onawa

City in Iowa

Population2,766
Coordinates42.0266500, -96.0972400
Altitude320
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: 10th Street (-96.097283, 42.026651)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 233 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 04m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.11 gal
19.35 L · about $19.27
Round trip
$38.54
10.22 gal · 38.7 L
Estimated CO2
45.4 kg one way
Round trip: 90.8 kg / 200 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.27 $38.54
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.73 $43.47
Premium $4.65 $23.78 $47.56
Diesel $5.30 $27.10 $54.21

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Onawa and Ankeny. The current time is 21:33:22.

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.