Origin
Ames, IA
Morning in Ames on Saturday
Local time
7:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Washington, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
61.2 mi
98 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Washington, IA
Paula Nardini
Trip Overview
The drive from Ames, IA to Washington, IA covers 61.2 miles and takes about 1h 11m 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 3, 13th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.8 miles on I 35 Business. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 61.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 11m highway drive covering 61.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 Business and State Highway 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 51.8 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 5 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 Washington, IA is easy. At 1h 11m with 95% 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
3 of 3 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
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 Washington, 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 | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 35 Business
— 51.8 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Washington, 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
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 3
5
Arrive at destination
IA 3
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.6 mi from Ames, IA · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.6 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Washington, IA
The final approach into Washington, 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
$9.57 one way
$19.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.51 | $21.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.78 | $23.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.51 | $27.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.35 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.57 | $3.92 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Washington, IA
Morning in Washington on Saturday
Local time
7:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 11m 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 Washington, IA covers 61.2 miles and takes about 1h 11m 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, 13th 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 30.6 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 $9.57 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 Washington, IA is easy. At 1h 11m with 95% 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 Washington, 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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