Ames, IA Road Trips

Drivers starting from Ames, IA have 20 mapped routes to choose from, making it a small but connected base in the Midwest. Most drives stay under 101 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Ames, IA spread mainly east and west, covering a wide geographic range.

Photo: Anton Belitskiy

Trip Routes

45

Longest Drive

205.3 mi

Fort Madison, IA

Quickest Drive

25m

Boone, IA

Plan Around Ames, IA

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Ames, IA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Fort Madison, IA to Ames, IA 205.3 mi · 3h 17m Osceola County, IA to Ames, IA 199.6 mi · 4h 12m Bellevue, IA to Ames, IA 194.7 mi · 3h 56m Le Mars, IA to Ames, IA 182.1 mi · 3h 1m

Continue From Ames, IA

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Ames, IA to Bellevue, IA 195.1 mi · 3h 57m Ames, IA to Carter Lake, IA 171.4 mi · 3h 15m Ames, IA to Bedford, IA 152.7 mi · 3h 9m Ames, IA to Cascade, IA 152.5 mi · 3h 2m

Trips from Ames, IA

Ames, IA to Bellevue, IA

195.1 mi 3h 57m

Ames, IA to Carter Lake, IA

171.4 mi 3h 15m

Ames, IA to Bedford, IA

152.7 mi 3h 9m

Ames, IA to Cascade, IA

152.5 mi 3h 2m

Ames, IA to Villisca, IA

147.4 mi 2h 57m

Ames, IA to Avoca, IA

127.3 mi 2h 23m

Ames, IA to Springville, IA

121.3 mi 2h 26m

Ames, IA to Tiffin, IA

120.7 mi 2h 23m

Ames, IA to Centerville, IA

120.2 mi 2h 38m

Ames, IA to Algona, IA

107.6 mi 2h 17m

Ames, IA to Cedar Falls, IA

93.4 mi 1h 52m

Ames, IA to Mason City, IA

90.8 mi 1h 27m

Ames, IA to Brooklyn, IA

81.3 mi 1h 45m

Ames, IA to Belle Plaine, IA

76.4 mi 1h 33m

Ames, IA to Carroll, IA

67.7 mi 1h 32m

Ames, IA to Adel, IA

54 mi 1h 7m

Ames, IA to Webster City, IA

45.9 mi 55m

Ames, IA to Marshalltown, IA

42.1 mi 54m

Driving from Ames, IA

The typical drive from Ames, IA covers about 101 miles and takes around 2h 2m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 195 miles (3h 57m), while the shortest is just 17 miles.

Popular Destinations

Drivers leaving Ames, IA most often head toward Bellevue, IA (195.1 mi, 3h 57m), Carter Lake, IA (171.4 mi, 3h 15m), Bedford, IA (152.7 mi, 3h 9m), Cascade, IA (152.5 mi, 3h 2m), and Villisca, IA (147.4 mi, 2h 57m). 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 101-mile trip from Ames, IA, budget about $15 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 20 mapped routes leaving Ames, IA and 25 routes heading into Ames, IA, covering 45 total connections. Distances range from 17 to 195 miles.

The longest mapped route from Ames, IA covers 195 miles and takes approximately 3h 57m. Shorter options start at just 17 miles.

The average route from Ames, IA runs about 101 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 2m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.77/gallon for regular), the average 101-mile trip from Ames, IA costs roughly $15 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

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