The drive from Ames, IA to Tripoli, IA covers 122.4 miles and takes about 2h 30m 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, Larrabee Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 53.9 miles on US 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.17 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
61.2 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 122.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 122.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and I 35 Business. The longest continuous stretch is about 53.9 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 21 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 53.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35 Business. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35 Business.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
5
90.7 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|Greenhill Road
Enter roundabout onto Greenhill Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
94.6 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 218 South: Waterloo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 185
Toward US 218 South: Waterloo
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 Tripoli, IA, road signs point toward Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.
Cr D18: Cedar Falls
85.7 mi in|~1h 40m
Broadway Street: Airport
96.2 mi in|~1h 55m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
53.9 mi
1h 2m
I 35 Business
28.6 mi
31m
Larrabee Avenue
11.3 mi
13m
Logan Avenue
6.9 mi
8m
University Avenue
3.5 mi
4m
170th Street
3.5 mi
5m
West Airline Highway
3 mi
5m
Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 53.9 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Tripoli, 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
54 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 20
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
6
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
7
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
8
Enter roundabout onto Greenhill Road
8 ft·0 sec·Greenhill Road
9
Continue on Greenhill Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Greenhill Road
10
Turn left onto IA 27; IA 58
2.7 mi·3 min·Avenue of the Saints
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 185Toward US 218 South: WaterlooUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 218
0.7 mi·48 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Broadway Street: Airport
14
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.3 mi·35 sec·Airport Boulevard
15
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi·5 min·West Airline Highway
16
Turn left onto US 63
6.9 mi·8 min·Logan Avenue
17
Continue on US 63
11 mi·13 min·Larrabee Avenue
18
Turn right onto IA 93
3.5 mi·5 min·170th Street
19
Continue on IA 93
0.5 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue Southwest
20
Turn left onto IA 93
0.4 mi·35 sec·South Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
IA 93
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 61.2 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.9 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 61.2 miles or 1h 11m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tripoli, 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 122.4 miles and 2h 30m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 53.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.2 mi from Ames, IA
· 1h 11m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.85
$5.88
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.71
$4.90
EV Truck/SUV
49
0
$17.14
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ames, IA
Morning
in Ames on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tripoli, IA
Morning
in Tripoli on Saturday
Local time
7:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 30m 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 Tripoli, IA covers 122.4 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, I 35 Business, Larrabee 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 61.2 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 $18.17 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 85.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Ames, IA and Tripoli, IA, road signs point toward Cr D18: Cedar Falls and Broadway Street: Airport.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
