How far is West Union, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from West Union, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125.2 miles (201.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Grundy County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Union and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Union and Ankeny.
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1
Start on North Vine Street
160 m · 28 sec · North Vine Street
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2
Turn left onto West Bradford Street
1.3 km · 1 min · West Bradford Street
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3
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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4
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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5
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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6
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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7
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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9
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 9 min · Logan Avenue
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10
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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11
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard
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12
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
2788 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
3116 ft · 41 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
1 mi · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.2 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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17
Take the exit slight right toward University Avenue
1165 ft · 28 sec
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18
Keep slight right
102 m · 8 sec
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19
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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21
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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22
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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23
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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24
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1612 ft · 55 sec
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26
Merge slight left
49.6 mi · 54 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward 1st Street
1422 ft · 35 sec
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28
Keep slight right
92 m · 9 sec
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29
Turn straight onto East 1st Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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30
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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31
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Union 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 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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving West Union 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 West Union to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 178.5 miles (287.2 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?
Wellsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.7 miles from West Union and 90.8 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125.2 miles (201.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around West Union and Chance Rain Showers near Ankeny.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Union and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 125.23 mi (201.54 km).
#1 West Union
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,270 |
| Coordinates | 42.9627600, -91.8082200 |
| Altitude | 362 |
| 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: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.76 | $47.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.