Cities Near Ankeny
Cities near Ankeny, Iowa: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Ankeny, Iowa is Des Moines, about 9 mi (14 km) away — roughly 30 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 9 mi / 14 km | 30 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Ames | 21 mi / 34 km | 41 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Waterloo | 83 mi / 134 km | 1 hr 56 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Cedar Rapids | 103 mi / 165 km | 2 hr 23 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Iowa City | 107 mi / 172 km | 2 hr 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Council Bluffs | 121 mi / 195 km | 2 hr 49 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Bellevue | 125 mi / 202 km | 2 hr 55 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Saint Joseph | 150 mi / 242 km | 3 hr 30 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Sioux City | 153 mi / 246 km | 3 hr 33 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Davenport | 157 mi / 253 km | 3 hr 39 min | 47 min | Weekend getaway |
Day trips from Ankeny
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Ankeny
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Council Bluffs, Bellevue, Saint Joseph. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Ankeny include Des Moines, Ames, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City. The closest is Des Moines, about 9 miles (14 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.
More about Ankeny
Nearby city travel guides
- → Best time to visit Des Moines
- → Best time to visit Ames
- → Best time to visit Waterloo
- → Best time to visit Cedar Rapids
- → Best time to visit Iowa City
- → Best time to visit Council Bluffs
- → Best time to visit Bellevue
- → Best time to visit Saint Joseph
- → Best time to visit Sioux City
- → Best time to visit Davenport