Origin
Ames, IA
Morning in Ames on Saturday
Local time
11:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Clarksville, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 59m
Distance
95.3 mi
153 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 51m
★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 17m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 16m
8 PM
1h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Clarksville, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Trip Overview
Ames to Clarksville is 95.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via I 35 Business and State Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. Expect a highway-focused drive, making it a good option for a quick transit or a relaxed day trip. With no planned stops and a relatively short duration, this route offers flexibility for when you want to depart and how you manage your time on the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.7 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 95.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 75% of the journey on higher-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 51.8 miles on I 35 Business, offering a consistent pace. The drive transitions through various roads including I 35 Business, State Highway 3, and 210th Street, suggesting a mix of primary highway travel and potentially some more localized road segments as you approach your destination. It's designed for efficient travel rather than a winding scenic tour.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 51.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 Business and State Highway 3. 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
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ames, IA to Clarksville, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 75% 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 54.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.9 miles (IA 3 / State Highway 3): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese 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
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
3
54.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
IA 3 / State Highway 3
Turn right onto IA 3 / State Highway 3
Navigation decision point
3
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
IA 188 / State Highway 188
Turn left onto IA 188 / State Highway 188
Navigation decision point
4
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
East Superior Street
Turn right onto East Superior Street
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 Clarksville, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion along the way.
Clarion
54.4 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 Business | 51.8 mi | 55m |
| State Highway 3 | 18.1 mi | 24m |
| 210th Street | 15.7 mi | 21m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue West | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 188 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35 Business
— 51.8 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Clarksville, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion
4
Turn right onto IA 3
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
5
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue West
6
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
7
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
8
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
9
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
10
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
11
Continue on IA 3
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
210th Street
12
Turn left onto IA 188
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 188
13
Continue on IA 188
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
14
Turn right onto East Superior Street
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Superior Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Superior Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under 2 hours, this route from Ames to Clarksville is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. You won't need to plan for overnight stays, and with a fuel cost estimated at $15, budgeting is straightforward. While there are no specific stops noted, consider taking a short break about halfway through, perhaps after the 51.8-mile stretch on I 35 Business, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I 35 Business to State Highway 3; ensure you have enough for the final leg.
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 47.7 miles from Ames, IA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.7 miles or 54m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarksville, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ames, IA
This is one driving day of about 95.3 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.7 mi from Ames, IA · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.7 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clarksville, IA
The final approach into Clarksville, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.90 one way
$29.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.36 | $32.72 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.34 | $36.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.04 | $42.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.6 | 0 | $10.01 | $4.57 |
| Efficient EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.34 | $3.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.34 | $6.10 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Clarksville, IA
Morning in Clarksville on Saturday
Local time
11:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
23 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
1h 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 Clarksville, IA covers 95.3 miles and takes about 1h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35 Business, State Highway 3, 210th 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 47.7 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 $14.90 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 Clarksville, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 75% 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 54.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.9 miles (IA 3 / State Highway 3): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Ames, IA to Clarksville, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Clarion 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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