How far is Runnells, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Runnells, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.8 miles (31.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
27.51 mi
00h 35m
Flight
19.82 mi
31.89 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Runnells.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.82 mi
Kilometers
31.89 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
27.51 mi
Kilometers
44.28 km
Drive Time
00h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Mon, Nov 9, 5:50 PM CST
Return by in Runnells
Mon, Nov 9, 6:26 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Runnells
2026-11-09T17:14
Arrive Ankeny
Mon, Nov 9, 5:50 PM CST
Route Timing
00h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM CST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:18 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Runnells
10:00 PM CST
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Pleasant Hill
IA

American city in Iowa

From Runnells
13.7 mi
00h 17m
To Ankeny
13.9 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Nov 9 6:00 AM CST
Wind
2 to 12 mph SSW
Destination
68°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Mon, Nov 9 12:00 PM CST
Wind
12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East McKinney Street

    24 m · 4 sec · East McKinney Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Brown Street

    2613 ft · 52 sec · Brown Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Southeast 116th Street

    3.3 mi · 6 min · Southeast 116th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Camp Drive

    954 ft · 19 sec · Camp Drive

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast Camp Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southeast Camp Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on Southeast 112th Street

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast 112th Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East University Avenue

    1.8 mi · 2 min · East University Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on Northeast University Avenue

    1.8 mi · 2 min · Northeast University Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on East University Avenue

    3.1 mi · 4 min · East University Avenue

  10. 10

    Take the exit right

    2180 ft · 53 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

    2714 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis

    1758 ft · 43 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis

    2751 ft · 52 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1602 ft · 39 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on High Trestle Trail

    78 m · 8 sec

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East 1st Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Runnells and Ankeny.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
23 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
83.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East University Avenue
5.3 mi · 19%
I 35 North
4.7 mi · 17%
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.82 mi · 14%
Southeast 116th Street
3.26 mi · 12%
I 80 West
2.06 mi · 7%
Northeast University Avenue
1.78 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 35 North

Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

4.7 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 35m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.7 mi
19.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pleasant Hill
00h 17m from Runnells
Leave By
7:18 PM CST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Runnells and Sunny near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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 13.7 miles from Runnells and 13.9 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 19.8 miles (31.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.75 one way or $7.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Runnells and Sunny near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Pleasant Hill

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

64 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

91 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

112 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Runnells and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 19.82 mi (31.89 km).

Runnells

#1 Runnells

City in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Population498
Coordinates41.5111000, -93.3574300
Altitude246
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: East McKinney Street (-93.35743, 41.511098)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 44 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.97 gal
3.68 L · about $3.75
Round trip
$7.51
1.94 gal · 7.36 L
Estimated CO2
8.6 kg one way
Round trip: 17.2 kg / 38 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.87 $3.75 $7.51
Mid-grade $4.21 $4.09 $8.17
Premium $4.76 $4.62 $9.24
Diesel $5.92 $5.74 $11.49

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 · Nov 09, 2026

There is no time difference between Runnells and Ankeny. The current time is 17:14:33.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.