Origin
Altoona, IA
Evening in Altoona on Wednesday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
37m
Distance
36.7 mi
59 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Altoona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA covers 36.7 miles and takes about 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 8th Street Southwest, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, I 80 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.74 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
18.4 miles from Altoona, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 37m drive with frequent turns across 36.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
8th Street Southwest is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8th Street Southwest | — | — |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| I-35 north | — | — |
| I-35 North | — | — |
| I 35 North | — | — |
| USDA Veterinary Labs | — | — |
| East 13th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
8th Street Southwest
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on 1st Avenue South
49 ft
·
3 sec
·
1st Avenue South
2
Turn right onto 8th Street Southwest
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
8th Street Southwest
3
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
4
Continue straight
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
5
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
6
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80 West: Council Bluffs
7
Merge slight left
0.9 mi
·
1 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I-35 north: Minneapolis
10
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
I-35 North: Minneapolis
11
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 35 North: Minneapolis
12
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
USDA Veterinary Labs
13
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 18.4 miles from Altoona, IA, or about 18m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 36.7 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Altoona, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Altoona, IA
This is one driving day of about 36.7 miles and 37m.
At 36.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from Altoona, IA · 18m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from Altoona, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ames, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ames, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.74 one way
$11.48 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.06 | $14.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.10 | $16.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.85 | $1.76 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.14 | $2.35 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ames, IA
Evening in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
5:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA covers 36.7 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 8th Street Southwest, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway, I 80 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.4 miles from Altoona, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.74 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Altoona, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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