The Ankeny Brief
A lot of Ankeny works in Des Moines, so if you're thinking about moving here, the commute is a fair question. The short version: it's close and usually easy, with the usual rush-hour caveats near downtown. Here's the distance, the drive time, and how getting around actually works.
Downtown Des Moines is about 12 miles from Ankeny, a roughly 13-minute drive straight down I-35 off-peak, and closer to 25 to 30 minutes at rush hour near downtown. West Des Moines is about 15 miles via I-35 and I-235. The Des Moines airport is roughly 18 to 20 miles south. For most of Ankeny, the daily commute is short by big-metro standards.
Interstate 35 runs right through Ankeny and is the spine of the commute. Southbound it drops you onto I-235, the loop that feeds downtown Des Moines and continues west to West Des Moines and Clive. Off-peak, the run downtown is a quick 13 minutes or so. At weekday rush hour, expect it to stretch toward 25 to 30 minutes as traffic bunches up closer to the interchange and downtown, still short compared with commutes in most metros of this size.
You don't have to take the interstate. Ankeny Boulevard (old US 69) runs north-south through the middle of town and into Des Moines, and SE 14th Street is another direct southern route. These surface streets are handy when I-35 backs up or for trips to the near-north side of Des Moines, though they hit more lights. Locals mix and match depending on where they're headed and the time of day.
Ankeny is a car-oriented suburb, so most people drive. DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit) has served the metro with commuter options, so if you'd rather not drive, check its current routes and schedules. For car-free days, the paved trail network connects Ankeny into Des Moines, see the Neal Smith Trail and Ankeny trails guides. The Des Moines International Airport is an easy 20-ish-minute drive south.
For most people who choose Ankeny, yes: you trade a few interstate miles for newer housing, strong schools, and low crime, while staying close to metro jobs. Weigh it against where you'd actually work and at what hours. For the full picture, see our moving to Ankeny, cost of living, and jobs and largest employers guides.
The Ankeny Brief is a free weekly email on the town: what's happening, what's new, and the local news you can use. A friendly landing spot for new arrivals. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown Des Moines is about 12 miles by car via I-35. West Des Moines is about 15 miles, and the airport roughly 18 to 20 miles.
About 13 minutes off-peak on I-35, stretching to roughly 25 to 30 minutes at weekday rush hour near downtown.
I-35 south to I-235 is fastest. Ankeny Boulevard (old US 69) and SE 14th Street are good surface alternatives when I-35 backs up.
For most people, yes: about 12 miles from downtown with a short off-peak drive, plus newer housing, strong schools, and low crime. Weigh the rush-hour drive against your workplace.
Roughly 18 to 20 miles south, about a 20 to 25 minute drive via I-35 and the connecting interstates.