Origin
Ames, IA
Late night in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to New Hampton, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
135.5 mi
218 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
New Hampton, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ames, IA to New Hampton, IA covers 135.5 miles and takes about 2h 42m 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, 200th 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 $21.18 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
67.7 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 135.5 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 19 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.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ames, IA to New Hampton, IA is easy. At 2h 42m with 81% 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 11 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
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
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 New Hampton, IA, road signs point toward Charles City and Cr B35: Charles City.
Charles City
79 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Cr B35: Charles City
113 mi in
|
~2h 7m
|
via US 218 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 Business | 76.4 mi | 1h 22m |
| US 18 | 32.9 mi | 38m |
| 200th Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| 200th Avenue | 5 mi | 6m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Gilbert Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Kenwood Avenue | 0.7 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 New Hampton, 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
·
23 sec
·
Brantingham Street
11
Continue on US 18
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue
12
Continue on US 18
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
5th Avenue
13
Continue on US 18
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
200th Avenue
14
Continue on US 18
11 mi
·
15 min
·
200th Street
15
Turn right onto Kenwood Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Kenwood Avenue
16
At end of road, turn left onto 210th Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
210th Street
17
Continue on West Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 63 Business
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Linn Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
US 63 Business
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.7 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 15m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.7 miles or 1h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Hampton, 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 135.5 miles and 2h 42m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 67.7 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 67.7 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.4 miles.
Arriving in New Hampton, IA
The final approach into New Hampton, 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 New Hampton, 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
$21.18 one way
$42.37 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $23.26 | $46.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $26.08 | $52.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.92 | $59.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.23 | $6.50 |
| Efficient EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.86 | $5.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.97 | $8.67 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
New Hampton, IA
Late night in New Hampton on Wednesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°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
1 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 42m 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 New Hampton, IA covers 135.5 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35 Business, US 18, 200th 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 67.7 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 $21.18 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Ames, IA to New Hampton, IA is easy. At 2h 42m with 81% 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.
Between Ames, IA and New Hampton, IA, road signs point toward Charles City and Cr B35: Charles City.
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