Origin
Ames, IA
Afternoon in Ames on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Carroll, IA
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
67.7 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Ames, IA
Anton Belitskiy
Carroll, IA
Santiago Boada
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Ames to Carroll, you are looking at a straightforward 67.7-mile journey across the Iowa landscape. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 30, with short segments on University Boulevard and Grand Avenue to get you out of town and into your destination. With a modest fuel budget of about $10, this is an economical route for a quick getaway or a necessary business trip. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout the entire excursion.
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
33.8 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel time spent on major routes. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 64.5 miles on US 30. Because the vast majority of the mileage is highway-based, the drive is efficient and functional rather than technical. While you transition off local roads like University Boulevard and Grand Avenue, the experience remains predictable and steady. Behind the wheel, you can expect a consistent pace as you traverse the heart of Iowa without the need for complex navigation or frequent lane changes.
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.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and University Boulevard. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 35 Business; US 69 / Grand Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ames, IA to Carroll, IA is easy. At 1h 32m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 35 Business; US 69 / Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (South 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 35 Business; US 69 / Grand Avenue
Turn left onto I 35 Business; US 69 / Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South 4th Street
Turn right onto South 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward US 30 west: Boone
Navigation decision point
Toward US 30 west: Boone
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 30
Merge onto US 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 64.5 mi | 1h 25m |
| University Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South 4th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Grand Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 64.5 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Carroll, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
117 ft
·
11 sec
·
13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business; US 69
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Continue on South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Grand Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
4
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 4th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
University Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 30 west: Boone
7
Merge onto US 30
62 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
US 30
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 30
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 30
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn right
74 ft
·
10 sec
10
Turn left
129 ft
·
9 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule without worrying about mid-route lodging. Because the entire journey spans less than two hours, you likely won’t need any formal stops, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep in mind that with US 30 serving as the backbone of your trip, traffic flow will be your primary factor for timing. Budget around $10 for gas before you head out, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a solid hour of highway-speed driving. A great tip for this route is to check real-time traffic alerts specifically for US 30, as that single stretch accounts for almost the entire duration of your trip.
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 33.8 miles from Ames, IA, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.5 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 67.7 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.8 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carroll, 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 67.7 miles and 1h 32m.
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 US 30 for about 64.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.8 mi from Ames, IA · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.8 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 64.5 miles.
Arriving in Carroll, IA
The final approach into Carroll, 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 Carroll, 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
$10.28 one way
$20.57 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.34 | $22.67 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.78 | $25.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.04 | $30.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| Efficient EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.92 | $2.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.48 | $4.33 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Carroll, IA
Afternoon in Carroll on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
6 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
1h 32m 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 Carroll, IA covers 67.7 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, University Boulevard, Grand Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.8 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 $10.28 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 Carroll, IA is easy. At 1h 32m with 95% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 35 Business; US 69 / Grand Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (South 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Ames, IA to Carroll, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Carroll, IA
More trips to Carroll, IA
Explore more options from Ames, IA or browse trips ending in Carroll, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Ames, IA or Carroll, IA on MapSof.net.