The drive from Ames, IA to Burlington, IA covers 197.6 miles and takes about 3h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East University Avenue, US 34, I 35 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 128.7 miles on East University Avenue.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.89 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
98.8 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 197.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 53m drive with frequent turns across 197.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East University Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 128.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.4 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 197.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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...
8
32 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
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 141
Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des Moines
6
36.5 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 79
Toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant...
6
169.8 mi into trip|~3h 19m in|US 34; IA 163
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Bu...
7
170 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 42
Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ames, IA and Burlington, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Pleasant Hill and 163 East: Mount Pleasant.
Council Bluffs
28.4 mi in|~34m|via I 35
Davenport
28.4 mi in|~34m|via I 35
Des Moines
32 mi in|~39m
Pleasant Hill
36.5 mi in|~45m
163 East: Mount Pleasant
169.8 mi in|~3h 19m|via US 34; IA 163
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East University Avenue
128.7 mi
2h 28m
US 34
27 mi
32m
I 35
25.9 mi
28m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi
4m
I 80
2.6 mi
2m
13th Street
2.4 mi
5m
Avenue of the Saints
2.3 mi
2m
Northeast University Avenue
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
East University Avenue
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Burlington, 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 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 137AToward I 80 East: Davenport
6
Merge onto I 80
2.6 mi·2 min·I 80
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 141Toward US 65 South: Altoona, Des MoinesUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi·4 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 79Toward IA 163: East University Avenue, Pleasant Hill
10
Turn left onto IA 163
3.3 mi·4 min·East University Avenue
11
Continue on IA 163
1.8 mi·2 min·Northeast University Avenue
12
Continue on IA 163
125 mi·2 hr 24 min·East University Avenue
13
Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163
2.3 mi·2 min·Avenue of the Saints
14
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163
0.3 mi·32 sec·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, 163 East: Mount Pleasant, Burlington
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
27 mi·31 min·US 34; IA 163
Exit 42Toward US 34 East, IA 163 East: Burlington
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 262BToward Central Ave
17
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Central Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
South Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 98.8 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.8 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, 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 197.6 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 East University Avenue for about 128.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.8 mi from Ames, IA
· 1h 57m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.3
0
$20.75
$9.48
Efficient EV
49.4
0
$17.29
$7.90
EV Truck/SUV
79
0
$27.66
$12.65
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ames, IA
Morning
in Ames on Saturday
Local time
7:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, IA
Morning
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
7:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
17 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
3h 53m 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 Burlington, IA covers 197.6 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East University Avenue, US 34, I 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.8 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 $30.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 197.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ames, IA and Burlington, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Pleasant Hill and 163 East: Mount Pleasant.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
