How far is Rock Valley, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Rock Valley, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 244.6 miles (393.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.8 miles (274.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 59m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Sac County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Valley and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Valley and Ankeny.
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1
Start on 15th Street
9 m · 3 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn right onto 16th Avenue
1916 ft · 1 min · 16th Avenue
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3
Turn left onto 10th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 10th Street
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4
Continue on 310th Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · 310th Street
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5
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
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6
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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7
Continue on Black Forest Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Black Forest Road
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8
Continue on 320th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 320th Street
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9
Turn right onto Jackson Avenue
8 mi · 11 min · Jackson Avenue
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10
Turn left onto 400th Street
7.5 mi · 10 min · 400th Street
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11
Continue on Birch Street
593 ft · 12 sec · Birch Street
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12
Continue on Cedar Street
1159 ft · 23 sec · Cedar Street
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13
Continue on 6th Avenue South
751 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue South
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14
Turn right onto Fir Street
729 ft · 17 sec · Fir Street
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15
Turn right onto County Road S
1437 ft · 29 sec · County Road S
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16
Continue on Log Avenue
5.8 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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17
Turn left onto 460th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street
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18
Continue on Garfield Street
2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street
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19
Continue on 460th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street
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20
Turn right onto Nettle Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue
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21
Continue on D Avenue
5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue
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22
Continue on Ames Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
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23
Turn left onto 490th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street
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24
Continue on State Highway 3
4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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25
Continue on 500th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
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26
Turn straight onto State Highway 3
4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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27
Turn left onto 530th Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street
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28
Turn right onto V Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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29
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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30
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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31
Continue on Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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32
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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33
Continue on Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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34
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
92.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street
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35
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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36
Merge slight left
49.1 mi · 53 min
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37
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1422 ft · 35 sec
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38
Keep slight right
92 m · 9 sec
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39
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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40
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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41
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Valley and Ankeny.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
220th Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
92.4 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rock Valley and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Valley to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 244.6 miles (393.6 km) and usually takes 03h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lytton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.7 miles from Rock Valley and 125.9 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.8 miles (274.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.54 one way or $65.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Valley and Partly Sunny near Ankeny.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Valley and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 170.81 mi (274.89 km).
#1 Rock Valley
City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 3,901 |
| Coordinates | 43.2052600, -96.2950300 |
| Altitude | 381 |
| 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: 394 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.54 | $65.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.16 | $80.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.77 | $91.55 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.