How far is Waukee, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Waukee, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukee and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukee and Ankeny.
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1
Start on Ashworth Drive
43 m · 7 sec · Ashworth Drive
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1076 ft · 34 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto Hickman Road
5.7 mi · 9 min · Hickman Road
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4
Turn left onto I-35 north, I-80 east
1557 ft · 38 sec
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5
Merge slight left
9.8 mi · 11 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 415: Polk City
1915 ft · 49 sec
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7
Turn left onto Northwest 2nd Street
2.8 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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8
Continue on Southwest State Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street
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9
Turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road
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10
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street
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11
Turn right onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukee and Ankeny.
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.
I-35 north
Merge slight left
9.76 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waukee and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukee to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 22.9 miles (36.8 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Johnston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.4 miles from Waukee and 11.4 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.05 one way or $6.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waukee and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Johnston
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 Johnston.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukee and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 16.57 mi (26.67 km).
#1 Waukee
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 26,166 |
| Coordinates | 41.6116600, -93.8852300 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| 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: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.05 | $6.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.44 | $6.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.30 | $8.59 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.