How far is Palo, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Palo, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 111.2 miles (179 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.9 miles (154.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m 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 01h 54m.
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.
Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palo and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palo and Ankeny.
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1
Start on Vinton Street
26 m · 9 sec · Vinton Street
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2
Turn left onto 1st Street
2695 ft · 2 min · 1st Street
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3
Turn left onto Covington Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Covington Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward IA 100 west: To US 30
1537 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left
2.9 mi · 3 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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8
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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9
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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11
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
28.2 mi · 32 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi · 13 min · Northeast 94th Avenue
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13
Continue on East 1st Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street
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14
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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15
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palo and Ankeny.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 00h 43m
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.
Sunny leaving Palo and Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palo to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 111.2 miles (179 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Montour is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.6 miles from Palo and 55.7 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.9 miles (154.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 2:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.82 one way or $29.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Palo and Sunny near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Montour
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 Montour.
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palo and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 95.96 mi (154.43 km).
#1 Palo
City in Linn County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,075 |
| Coordinates | 42.0661100, -91.7954600 |
| Altitude | 226 |
| 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: 179 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.82 | $29.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $16.71 | $33.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.29 | $36.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $20.84 | $41.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.