How far is Washington, IA from Ankeny, IA?

The driving distance from Washington, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 31m 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
81.26 mi
01h 15m
Flight
72.39 mi
116.5 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Washington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.39 mi
Kilometers
116.5 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.26 mi
Kilometers
130.78 km
Drive Time
01h 15m

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 01h 15m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 5:17 AM CDT
Return by in Washington
Sat, Apr 18, 6:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Washington
2026-04-18T04:01
Arrive Ankeny
Sat, Apr 18, 5:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 15m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Washington
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
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Washington
40.6 mi
00h 37m
To Ankeny
40.6 mi
00h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on State Highway 3

    6.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 3

  2. 2

    Continue on Balsam Avenue

    158 m · 13 sec · Balsam Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward Hampton, Clarion

    1610 ft · 39 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    72.4 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street

    1422 ft · 35 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    92 m · 9 sec

  7. 7

    Turn straight onto East 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street

    829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street

    15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Washington 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
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Hampton
72.7 mi · 90%
State Highway 3
6.44 mi · 8%
East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2%
1st Street
0.33 mi
Southwest Walnut Street
0.16 mi
Balsam Avenue
0.1 mi
Longest Stretch

Hampton

Merge slight left

72.4 mi · 01h 18m

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
01h 15m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.9 mi
72.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
00h 37m from Washington
Leave By
3:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Washington and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.6 miles from Washington and 40.6 miles from Ankeny.

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

The direct path is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.9 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 3:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.82 one way or $21.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Washington and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ankeny.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Washington and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 72.39 mi (116.5 km).

Washington

#1 Washington

City in Franklin County, Missouri

Population7,206
Coordinates42.7477500, -93.2713100
Altitude367
CountryUnited States
Ankeny

#2 Ankeny

The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.

Population70,068
Coordinates41.7297100, -93.6057700
Altitude302
CountryUnited States
Start: State Highway 3 (-93.271439, 42.745409)
End: Southwest 3rd Street (-93.60577, 41.72962)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.87 gal
10.85 L · about $10.82
Round trip
$21.65
5.74 gal · 21.7 L
Estimated CO2
25.5 kg one way
Round trip: 51 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.82 $21.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.21 $24.41
Premium $4.65 $13.36 $26.71
Diesel $5.30 $15.22 $30.44

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Washington and Ankeny. The current time is 04:01:34.

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.