How far is Riverside, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Riverside, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106 miles (170.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 14m 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 07m.
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.
City in Poweshiek County, Iowa, United States
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 Riverside and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverside and Ankeny.
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1
Start on North Washburn Street
33 m · 10 sec · North Washburn Street
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2
Turn left onto West 1st Street
1567 ft · 27 sec · West 1st Street
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3
Continue on East Hickory Street
2555 ft · 44 sec · East Hickory Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 22
1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 22
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5
Take the ramp left
1631 ft · 40 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
15.1 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 80
1327 ft · 32 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Des Moines
1.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
99.5 mi · 1 hr 47 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 Riverside 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.
I 80 West
Merge slight left
99.5 mi · 01h 47m
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 Riverside and Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Riverside to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Malcom is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63 miles from Riverside and 63.8 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106 miles (170.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 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 2:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.89 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Riverside and Sunny near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Malcom
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 Malcom.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Riverside and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 106.01 mi (170.6 km).
#1 Riverside
City in Washington County, Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,021 |
| Coordinates | 41.4797400, -91.5812800 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| 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: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.89 | $33.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.05 | $38.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.85 | $41.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
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.