Origin
Ames, IA
Afternoon in Ames on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Altoona, IA
Drive Time
46m
Distance
36.9 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 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Anton Belitskiy
Altoona, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Ames to Altoona, you are looking at a quick, efficient 36.9-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is a very cost-effective commute across Iowa. The route relies primarily on I-35 and I-80, keeping your travel time predictable and straightforward. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, this path offers a direct connection between these two points without the need for any planned stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18.4 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of your trip spent cruising at interstate speeds. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-35, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.9 miles. Expect a functional, no-nonsense experience as you transition from local surface streets like 13th Street onto the major interstate arteries. The character of the road is steady and fast-paced, prioritizing efficiency over backroad exploration. You will find that the rhythm of the drive remains consistent from start to finish, providing a reliable transit experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
997 ft
871 ft
Total Climb
295 ft
Total Descent
285 ft
Highest Point
997 ft
~16.9 mi in
Elevation Range
126 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 80. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 36.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
28.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
5
28.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward I 80 East: Davenport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
8
35 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Take the exit toward Bondurant, Altoona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 143
Toward Bondurant, Altoona
6
35.4 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
1st Avenue North
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Ames, IA and Altoona, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Bondurant.
Council Bluffs
28.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35
Davenport
28.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35
Bondurant
35 mi in
|
~42m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 25.9 mi | 28m |
| I 80 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 25.9 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Altoona, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
3
Merge onto I 35
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
2 min
Exit 137A
Toward I 80 East: Davenport
6
Merge onto I 80
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 143
Toward Bondurant, Altoona
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
1st Avenue North
Use the left / none lanes.
9
Enter roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
1st Avenue North
10
Continue on 1st Avenue North
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
11
Arrive at destination
1st Avenue South
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 46-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the route is entirely highway-based, try to avoid peak rush hours if you prefer a calmer experience on I-35 and I-80. You won't need to worry about long-distance pacing or meal breaks given the brief duration of the trip. Ensure your tank is topped off before leaving, though your $6 fuel estimate suggests you will not be burning through much gas. Keep a close eye on traffic reports for the I-35 and I-80 interchange, as that is the primary area where congestion could impact your travel time.
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 Ames, IA, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.9 miles.
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 36.9 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Altoona, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ames, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ames, IA
This is one driving day of about 36.9 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ames, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 25.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from Ames, IA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Altoona, IA
The final approach into Altoona, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Altoona, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.60 one way
$11.21 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
| premium | $4.80 | $6.97 | $13.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.20 | $16.40 |
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: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.87 | $1.77 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.23 | $1.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.17 | $2.36 |
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
Altoona, IA
Afternoon in Altoona on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
2 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
46m 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 Ames, IA to Altoona, IA covers 36.9 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 80, 13th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.4 miles from Ames, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.60 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 36.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Ames, IA and Altoona, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Bondurant.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 871 ft to 997 ft elevation with about 295 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Altoona, IA
More trips to Altoona, IA
Explore more options from Ames, IA or browse trips ending in Altoona, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Ames, IA or Altoona, IA on MapSof.net.