How far is Woodward, IA from Ankeny, IA?
The driving distance from Woodward, IA to Ankeny, IA is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m 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 30m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Woodward and Ankeny.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodward and Ankeny.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
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2
Take the ramp left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1513 ft · 42 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive
10.1 mi · 13 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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4
Take the exit straight toward IA 415, NW Saylorville Drive: Polk City
2043 ft · 56 sec
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5
Continue on Northwest Saylorville Drive
1.5 mi · 2 min · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest Saylorville Drive
41 m · 2 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest Saylorville Drive
86 m · 5 sec · Northwest Saylorville Drive
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8
Continue on Northwest 112th Street
2287 ft · 43 sec · Northwest 112th Street
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9
Continue on Mile Long Bridge
1.5 km · 2 min · Mile Long Bridge
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10
Continue on West Bridge Road
1.3 km · 2 min · West Bridge Road
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11
Turn right onto Northwest Polk City Drive
3.8 mi · 5 min · Northwest Polk City Drive
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12
Turn left onto West 1st Street
3.2 mi · 7 min · West 1st Street
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13
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 41 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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14
Turn left onto Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 2 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Woodward 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.
Northwest Granger Drive
Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive
10.1 mi · 00h 13m
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 leaving Woodward and Sunny near Ankeny.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Woodward to Ankeny?
The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Granger is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Woodward and 11.7 miles from Ankeny.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.5 miles (29.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.09 one way or $6.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Woodward and Sunny near Ankeny.
Stop Ideas Near Granger
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 Granger.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Woodward and Ankeny. Straight-line distance: 18.5 mi (29.78 km).
#1 Woodward
City in Iowa, USA
| Population | 1,472 |
| Coordinates | 41.8569300, -93.9219000 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| 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: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 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 | $3.09 | $6.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.49 | $6.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.82 | $7.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $4.35 | $8.70 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.