How far is Shenandoah, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Shenandoah, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 152.3 miles (245.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
152.32 mi
02h 40m
Flight
113.39 mi
182.49 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Shenandoah.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
113.39 mi
Kilometers
182.49 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.32 mi
Kilometers
245.13 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 12:55 AM CDT
Return by in Shenandoah
Thu, Apr 30, 3:35 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Shenandoah
2026-04-29T22:15
Arrive Ankeny
Thu, Apr 30, 12:55 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Shenandoah
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Brayton
IA

Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America

From Shenandoah
77.4 mi
01h 20m
To Ankeny
74.9 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 2:00 PM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
43°F
Overnight

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Clarinda Avenue

    33 m · 7 sec · West Clarinda Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Blossom Street

    30 m · 10 sec · South Blossom Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West Sheridan Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · West Sheridan Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Fremont Street

    38.8 mi · 55 min · Fremont Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    6.4 mi · 9 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    7.5 mi · 11 min

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right

    1377 ft · 34 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    82.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    12.5 mi · 15 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City

    1915 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Southwest State Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Fremont Street
129 mi · 84%
I 35
12.5 mi · 8%
Northwest 2nd Street
2.75 mi · 2%
Southwest State Street
2.51 mi · 2%
Southwest Ordnance Road
0.87 mi · 1%
West Sheridan Avenue
0.66 mi
Longest Stretch

Fremont Street

Merge slight left

82.1 mi · 01h 28m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.9 mi
113.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brayton
01h 20m from Shenandoah
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Shenandoah and Chance Rain Showers near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 152.3 miles (245.1 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.4 miles from Shenandoah and 74.9 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.9 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.29 one way or $40.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Shenandoah and Chance Rain Showers near Ankeny.

Stop Ideas Near Brayton

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

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

RAIL

Creston

72 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

90 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

112 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Shenandoah and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 113.39 mi (182.49 km).

Shenandoah

#1 Shenandoah

Town in Page County, Virginia, United States

Population4,783
Coordinates40.7655500, -95.3722100
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: West Clarinda Avenue (-95.372158, 40.765599)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 245 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.38 gal
20.35 L · about $20.29
Round trip
$40.58
10.76 gal · 40.7 L
Estimated CO2
47.8 kg one way
Round trip: 95.6 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.29 $40.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.88 $45.76
Premium $4.65 $25.04 $50.08
Diesel $5.30 $28.54 $57.07

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

There is no time difference between Shenandoah and Ankeny. The current time is 22:15:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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