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Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
156.6 mi
252 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
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station data
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
Wikimedia Commons
This 156.6-mile journey from Ames, IA to Washington, IA is a straightforward, single-day trip, easily completed in about 3 hours and 7 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused drive, it's a practical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this route offers an economical way to travel between two Iowa communities. You'll spend about 65% of your time on highways, making it an efficient drive without too many detours. Considering the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
78.3 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
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The character of this drive is largely highway-focused, with 65% of the route utilizing faster roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, as the longest uninterrupted segment covers 99.3 miles along US 30. While the Avenue of the Saints and County Road G36 offer some variation, the overall feel is one of steady progress. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes covering distance efficiently, with ample opportunity to settle into a rhythm on the open road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and Avenue of the Saints. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 7m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.9 miles (US 218): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Nevada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit onto US 218 toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn left onto North 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
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 Airport along the way.
Airport
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 99.3 mi | 1h 54m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 42.2 mi | 47m |
| County Road G36 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| I 35 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| County Highway W61 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Co Hwy W61 / Riverside Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East 7th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Washington, IA.
Start on I 35 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30
Take the exit onto US 218
Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27
Take the exit
Turn right onto County Road G36
Turn left onto Co Hwy W61 / Riverside Road
Continue on County Highway W61
Continue on North 12th Avenue
Turn right onto East 7th Street
At end of road, turn left onto North 4th Avenue
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn left onto North 2nd Avenue
Turn right onto East Main Street
Turn left onto South Marion Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given its 3-hour duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, offering plenty of flexibility. You can choose to depart mid-morning to avoid early rush, or leave later for a leisurely start. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or slightly beyond the 99.3-mile stretch on US 30, to maximize your driving time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longer highway segments. The $24 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or local exploration.
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 33m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 156.6 miles and 3h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.3 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.3 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.3 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Washington, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.48 one way
$48.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.88 | $53.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.14 | $60.27 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.58 | $69.15 |
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: 54.8 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 | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.52 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.70 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
Gas CO2
55 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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