Origin
Ames, IA
Afternoon in Ames on Thursday
Local time
1:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Saint Ansgar, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
120.9 mi
195 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Ansgar, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ames, IA to Saint Ansgar, IA covers 120.9 miles and takes about 2h 27m 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, State Highway 9, Balsam Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.8 miles on I 35 Business. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.90 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
60.5 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 120.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 27m highway drive covering 120.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 Business and State Highway 9. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.8 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 13 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 89.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 Business and State Highway 9. 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 Saint Ansgar, IA is easy. At 2h 27m with 88% 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 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 110.1 miles (CR S70 / Balsam Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
3
92.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
CR S70 / Balsam Avenue
Turn left onto CR S70 / Balsam Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
120.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
Foothill Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Foothill Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
120.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
CR 105 / West 4th Street
Turn right onto CR 105 / West 4th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 Business | 89.8 mi | 1h 36m |
| State Highway 9 | 16.3 mi | 22m |
| Balsam Avenue | 6 mi | 10m |
| 420th Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| West South Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| West 4th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35 Business
— 89.8 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Saint Ansgar, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business
90 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
4
Turn right onto IA 9
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 9
5
Continue on IA 9
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West South Street
6
Continue on IA 9
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 9
7
Turn left onto CR S70
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Balsam Avenue
8
Turn right onto 420th Street
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
420th Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto Foothill Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Foothill Avenue
10
Continue on South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Main Street
11
Turn right onto CR 105
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
12
Turn right onto Train Lane
59 ft
·
2 sec
·
Train Lane
13
Arrive at destination
Train Lane
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 60.5 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Ansgar, 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 120.9 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.5 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.5 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 89.8 miles.
Arriving in Saint Ansgar, IA
The final approach into Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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
$18.90 one way
$37.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.75 | $41.51 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.27 | $46.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.69 | $53.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.69 | $5.80 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.58 | $4.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.93 | $7.74 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Saint Ansgar, IA
Afternoon in Saint Ansgar on Thursday
Local time
1:42 PM
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
2h 27m 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 Saint Ansgar, IA covers 120.9 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35 Business, State Highway 9, Balsam 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 60.5 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 $18.90 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 Saint Ansgar, IA is easy. At 2h 27m with 88% 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 92.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 110.1 miles (CR S70 / Balsam Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Ames, IA to Saint Ansgar, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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