Origin
Ames, IA
Morning in Ames on Saturday
Local time
6:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Anamosa, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
130.8 mi
211 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Anamosa, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ames, IA to Anamosa, IA covers 130.8 miles and takes about 2h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 30, Marion Airport Road, IA 100 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.6 miles on US 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.45 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.4 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 130.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 40m highway drive covering 130.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 30 and Marion Airport Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 92.6 miles on US 30.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 92.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and Marion Airport Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 130.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 97.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
4
4.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Nevada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 30 East: Nevada
5
97.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
4
107.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
114.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
US 151 / Marion Airport Road
Turn right onto US 151 / Marion Airport Road
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ames, IA to Anamosa, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
97.2 mi in
|
~1h 55m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 92.6 mi | 1h 47m |
| Marion Airport Road | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| IA 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Collins Road Northeast | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| County Road E34 | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| I 35 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| US 151 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 92.6 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Anamosa, 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
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 30 East: Nevada
5
Merge onto US 30
93 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 30
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
7
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 100
8
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
9
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
10
Turn right onto US 151
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Marion Airport Road
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
12
At end of road, turn right onto IA 1
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 1
13
Continue on CR E34
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road E34
14
Continue on CR E34
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Elm Street
15
Turn left onto Cemetery Road
41 ft
·
2 sec
·
Cemetery Road
16
Turn right onto CR E34
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Elm Street
17
At end of road, turn right onto CR E28
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
CR E28
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.4 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.6 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 29 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anamosa, 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 130.8 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Ames, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 92.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.4 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.4 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.6 miles.
Arriving in Anamosa, IA
The final approach into Anamosa, 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 Anamosa, 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
$20.45 one way
$40.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $22.45 | $44.90 |
| premium | $4.89 | $25.17 | $50.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.88 | $57.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
| Efficient EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.45 | $5.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.31 | $8.37 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Anamosa, IA
Morning in Anamosa on Saturday
Local time
6:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Vinton, IA
65 mi in
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
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 40m 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 Anamosa, IA covers 130.8 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, Marion Airport Road, IA 100. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.4 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 $20.45 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 130.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 97.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ames, IA to Anamosa, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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