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Trip from Ames, IA to Charles City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 15m

Distance

116.8 mi

188 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

30 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 6m ★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

seat of Floyd County, Iowa, United States

Charles City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Ames, IA to Charles City, IA covers 116.8 miles and takes about 2h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35 Business, US 18, 13th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.4 miles on I 35 Business. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.26 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.

Midpoint

58.4 miles from Ames, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 116.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 15m highway drive covering 116.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 Business and US 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.4 miles on I 35 Business.

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 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 76.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 Business and US 18. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35 Business.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Ames, IA to Charles City, IA is easy. At 2h 15m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (US 218 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These 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 Business

Turn left onto I 35 Business toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Navigation decision point

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
5
79 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Take the exit toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Cha...
5
113 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | US 218 Business

Take the exit onto US 218 Business toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
5
113.3 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | US 218 Business / 185th Street

Turn left onto US 218 Business / 185th Street

Navigation decision point

5
116.6 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | US 18 / Brantingham Street

Turn left onto US 18 / Brantingham Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 Business 76.4 mi 1h 22m
US 18 32.9 mi 38m
13th Street 2.7 mi 5m
Gilbert Street 2.5 mi 4m
185th Street 0.3 mi <1m
US 218 Business 0.3 mi <1m
Clark Street 0.2 mi <1m
Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 35 Business — 76.4 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Charles City, IA.

1

Start on I 35 Business

2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
2

Turn left onto I 35 Business

76 mi · 1 hr 22 min · I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City
4

Merge onto US 18; IA 27

33 mi · 38 min · US 18; IA 27
5

Take the exit onto US 218 Business

0.3 mi · 42 sec · US 218 Business
Toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City
6

Turn left onto US 218 Business

0.3 mi · 24 sec · 185th Street
7

Turn straight onto US 218 Business

2.5 mi · 4 min · Gilbert Street
8

Turn left onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Main Street
9

Turn right onto Clark Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Clark Street
10

Turn left onto US 18

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Brantingham Street
11

Arrive at destination

US 18

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.4 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 26 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.4 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Charles City, 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 116.8 miles and 2h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Ames, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 Business for about 76.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.4 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 5m into the drive

Downtown Washington, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, IA

58 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

Nevada, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.4 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.4 miles.

Arriving in Charles City, IA

The final approach into Charles City, 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 Charles City, IA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.6 mi

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.8 mi

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.7 mi

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15152920100

Visit website

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152927429

Visit website

Tosca

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15152925258

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

Provisions Lot F

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155981783

Visit website

Business Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15152949081

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.7

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Cafe Milo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15152683166

Visit website

Juniper & Olive Co.

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 25

Jewell, Iowa

Hours: Closed

+15155098435

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 50

Dows, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Pilot Flying J Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 33.4

Williams, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15155160821

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 116.8

Charles City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.26 one way

$36.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.05 $40.10
premium $4.89 $22.48 $44.95
diesel $5.61 $25.79 $51.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

30 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

EV Connect Charging Station

Ames, Iowa

EV Connect

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Ames, Iowa

Tesla

1 DCFC

ChargePoint: 15 Other: 6 Blink: 3 EV Connect: 2 Tesla: 2 Shell Recharge: 1 EVgo: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35 0 $12.26 $5.61
Efficient EV 29.2 0 $10.22 $4.67
EV Truck/SUV 46.7 0 $16.35 $7.48

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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

Late night in Ames on Saturday

Local time

5:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Charles City, IA

Late night in Charles City on Saturday

Local time

5:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°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

21 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 15m 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 Charles City, IA covers 116.8 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35 Business, US 18, 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 58.4 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 $18.26 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 Charles City, IA is easy. At 2h 15m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 79 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (US 218 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Ames, IA to Charles City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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.

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Charles City, IA to Ames, IA

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117.1 mi 2h 14m

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