How far is Waukon, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Waukon, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 213.3 miles (343.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.9 miles (244.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 07m 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 33m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukon and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukon and Ankeny.
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1
Start on Allamakee Street Northwest
15 m · 3 sec · Allamakee Street Northwest
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
17 m · 6 sec · West Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Spring Avenue
101 m · 6 sec · Spring Avenue
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4
Continue on Rossville Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Rossville Road
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5
Turn right onto State Highway 9
4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 9
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6
Turn left onto State Highway 51
10.6 mi · 16 min · State Highway 51
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7
Continue on North Lawler Street
1628 ft · 29 sec · North Lawler Street
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8
Turn right onto West Tilden Street
7.8 mi · 11 min · West Tilden Street
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9
Continue on Mill Street
9.1 mi · 13 min · Mill Street
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10
Continue on East Bradford Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Bradford Street
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11
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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12
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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13
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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14
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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15
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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17
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 9 min · Logan Avenue
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18
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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19
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
2788 ft · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
3116 ft · 41 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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22
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
1 mi · 2 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.2 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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25
Take the exit slight right toward University Avenue
1165 ft · 28 sec
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26
Keep slight right
102 m · 8 sec
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27
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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29
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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30
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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31
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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32
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1612 ft · 55 sec
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34
Merge slight left
49.6 mi · 54 min
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35
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1422 ft · 35 sec
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36
Keep slight right
92 m · 9 sec
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37
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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38
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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39
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waukon and Ankeny.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Grundy Road
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Sunny leaving Waukon and Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukon to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 213.3 miles (343.3 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
Dike is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.1 miles from Waukon and 108.2 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.9 miles (244.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.4 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 9:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.40 one way or $56.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waukon and Sunny near Ankeny.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukon and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 151.95 mi (244.54 km).
#1 Waukon
City in Iowa
| Population | 3,600 |
| Coordinates | 43.2694200, -91.4757000 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| 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: 343 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.40 | $56.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.03 | $64.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.04 | $70.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.