How far is Prairie City, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Prairie City, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 28.4 miles (45.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.1 miles (34 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m 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 33m.
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.
American city in Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prairie City and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prairie City and Ankeny.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
105 m · 17 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn right onto South State Street
1027 ft · 19 sec · South State Street
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3
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
1.3 km · 1 min · East 2nd Street
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4
Take the ramp right
1844 ft · 51 sec
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5
Merge slight left
12.5 mi · 14 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 Prairie City 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.
East 2nd Street
Merge slight left
12.5 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Prairie City and Mostly Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prairie City to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 28.4 miles (45.7 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Pleasant Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from Prairie City and 14.3 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.1 miles (34 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.77 one way or $7.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Prairie City and Mostly Sunny near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hill
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 Pleasant Hill.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prairie City and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 21.14 mi (34.02 km).
#1 Prairie City
City in Jasper County, Iowa
| Population | 1,718 |
| Coordinates | 41.5994300, -93.2352100 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| 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: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.25 | $8.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.65 | $9.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.30 | $10.61 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.