Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Ames, IA to Strawberry Point, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

153.3 mi

247 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Strawberry Point, IA, IA

Strawberry Point, IA

Rashed Paykary

Trip Overview

The drive from Ames, IA to Strawberry Point, IA covers 153.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 20, I 35 Business, Washburn Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.8 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.97 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

76.7 miles from Ames, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 153.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 3m highway drive covering 153.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 35 Business. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.8 miles on US 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35 Business.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 3m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.6 miles (US 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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
4
31.3 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward US 20 East: Waterloo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
4
103.6 mi into trip | ~2h in | US 20

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
132 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | IA 187 / Washburn Avenue

Turn left onto IA 187 / Washburn Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
147.6 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | IA 3 / 40th Street

Enter roundabout onto IA 3 / 40th Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 99.8 mi 1h 55m
I 35 Business 28.6 mi 31m
Washburn Avenue 12.5 mi 17m
C Avenue 3 mi 4m
State Highway 3 2.9 mi 3m
13th Street 2.7 mi 5m
40th Street 2 mi 2m
West Mission Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 99.8 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Strawberry Point, IA.

1

Start on I 35 Business

2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
2

Turn left onto I 35 Business

29 mi · 31 min · I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 20 East: Waterloo
4

Merge onto US 20

72 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US 20
5

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20

28 mi · 32 min · US 20
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
7

Turn left onto IA 187

13 mi · 17 min · Washburn Avenue
8

Continue on IA 187

3.0 mi · 4 min · C Avenue
9

Enter roundabout onto IA 3

20 ft · 0 sec · 40th Street
10

Continue on IA 3

2.0 mi · 2 min · 40th Street
11

Continue on IA 3

2.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3
12

Continue on IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Mission Street
13

Turn left onto IA 13

60 ft · 2 sec · Elkader Street
14

Arrive at destination

IA 13

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.7 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.8 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 34 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.7 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Strawberry Point, 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 153.3 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 US 20 for about 99.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.7 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 29m into the drive

city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cedar Falls, IA

77 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

Oakland, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cedar Falls, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.7 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 US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.8 miles.

Arriving in Strawberry Point, IA

The final approach into Strawberry Point, 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 Strawberry Point, 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

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ames, Iowa

Near the start, short detour

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

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

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

Love A Latte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 54.8

Eldora, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16419397780

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

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 98.6

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

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

$23.97 one way

$47.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.31 $52.63
premium $4.89 $29.50 $59.00
diesel $5.61 $33.85 $67.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46 0 $16.10 $7.36
Efficient EV 38.3 0 $13.41 $6.13
EV Truck/SUV 61.3 0 $21.46 $9.81

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ames, IA

Morning in Ames on Friday

Local time

10:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Strawberry Point, IA

Morning in Strawberry Point on Friday

Local time

10:27 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

3h 3m 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 Strawberry Point, IA covers 153.3 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 20, I 35 Business, Washburn 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 76.7 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 $23.97 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 3h 3m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.6 miles (US 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

The route from Ames, IA to Strawberry Point, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Strawberry Point, IA

Des Moines, IA 166.7 mi · 3h 31m Waterloo, IA 58.7 mi · 1h 14m

More from Ames, IA

Sioux Center, IA 207.2 mi · 4h 16m Sidney, IA 203.7 mi · 3h 56m Bellevue, IA 195.1 mi · 3h 57m Alton, IA 192.9 mi · 3h 55m Arnolds Park, IA 177.4 mi · 3h 45m Carter Lake, IA 171.4 mi · 3h 15m

More trips to Strawberry Point, IA

Des Moines, IA 166.8 mi
Weekend drives from Ames, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Ames, IA or browse trips ending in Strawberry Point, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.