Ankeny, IA Road Trips

Drivers starting from Ankeny, IA have 17 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Midwest. Most drives stay under 109 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Ankeny, IA spread mainly east and west, covering a wide geographic range.

Downtown Ankeny, IA, IA

Photo: András Nyemczovszky

Trip Routes

41

Longest Drive

248.4 mi

Rock Rapids, IA

Quickest Drive

16m

Des Moines, IA

Plan Around Ankeny, IA

Trips from Ankeny, IA

Driving from Ankeny, IA

On average, trips departing from Ankeny, IA run 109 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 14m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 211 miles (4h 25m), while the shortest is just 12 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving Ankeny, IA most often head toward Lake Park, IA (211.2 mi, 4h 25m), Bellevue, IA (200.5 mi, 4h 6m), Cascade, IA (158 mi, 3h 12m), Carter Lake, IA (146.7 mi, 2h 50m), and Springville, IA (126.7 mi, 2h 36m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in IA currently averages around $3.77 per gallon. For the typical 109-mile trip from Ankeny, IA, budget about $16 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 17 mapped routes leaving Ankeny, IA and 24 routes heading into Ankeny, IA, covering 41 total connections. Distances range from 12 to 211 miles.

The longest mapped route from Ankeny, IA covers 211 miles and takes approximately 4h 25m. Shorter options start at just 12 miles.

The average route from Ankeny, IA runs about 109 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 14m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 109-mile trip from Ankeny, IA costs roughly $16 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Ankeny, IA include Lake Park, IA, Bellevue, IA, Cascade, IA and Carter Lake, IA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.

Short Drives from Ankeny, IA

Trips to Ankeny, IA

Nearby Hubs

Other cities within driving distance of Ankeny, IA that also have route pages.

Browse more IA road trips or choose a route from Ankeny, IA above.