Origin
Ames, IA
Morning in Ames on Thursday
Local time
11:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Baxter, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
59m
Distance
40 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Baxter, IA
Tara Winstead
Trip Overview
The drive from Ames, IA to Baxter, IA covers 40 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35 South, US 30 East, US 65 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.25 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 40 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 40 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 South 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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ames, IA to Baxter, IA is easy. At 59m 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 Ames, IA to Baxter, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 South | — | — |
| US 30 East | — | — |
| US 65 | — | — |
| 700th Avenue | — | — |
| County Highway F17 | — | — |
| Highway F17 West | — | — |
| West Buchanan Street | — | — |
| South Main Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35 South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Baxter, IA.
1
Start on 13th Street
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Take the ramp right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 South: Des Moines
3
Merge slight left
1.6 mi
·
1 min
4
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East: Nevada
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 30 East: Nevada
5
Merge slight left
13 mi
·
15 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 65: Des Moines, Iowa Falls
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 65: Des Moines, Iowa Falls
7
Turn right onto 700th Avenue
13 mi
·
19 min
·
700th Avenue
8
Turn left onto County Highway F17
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
County Highway F17
9
Continue on Highway F17 West
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway F17 West
10
Continue on West Buchanan Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Buchanan Street
11
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
12
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20 mi from Ames, IA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Baxter, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Baxter, 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
$6.25 one way
$12.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.87 | $13.73 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.70 | $15.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.83 | $17.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12 | 0 | $4.20 | $1.92 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16 | 0 | $5.60 | $2.56 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Baxter, IA
Morning in Baxter on Thursday
Local time
11:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Nevada, IA
20 mi in
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
20 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
59m 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 Baxter, IA covers 40 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35 South, US 30 East, US 65. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20 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 $6.25 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 Ames, IA to Baxter, IA is easy. At 59m 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 Ames, IA to Baxter, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ames, IA to Baxter, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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