Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
81.3 mi
131 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Photo: Jean-Daniel Francoeur
The drive from Ames, IA to Brooklyn, IA covers 81.3 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 30, 100th Street, 380th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.1 miles on US 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.35 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.7 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
This is a 1h 45m highway drive covering 81.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 30 and 100th Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 51.1 miles on US 30.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
444 ft
Total Descent
479 ft
Highest Point
1,112 ft
~23.7 mi in
Elevation Range
290 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and 100th Street. 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 1h 45m drive. You will face about 10 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 56.8 miles (US 63 / West 13th Street): Navigation decision point.
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
Turn left onto US 63 / West 13th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 63 / State Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto CR V18 / 175th Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 51.1 mi | 59m |
| 100th Street | 8 mi | 12m |
| 380th Avenue | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| J Avenue | 6.3 mi | 9m |
| 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| I 35 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 175th Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Brooklyn, IA.
Start on I 35 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 63
Continue on US 63
Turn left onto US 63
Turn right onto US 63
Continue on US 63
Continue on US 63
Turn left onto US 6; US 63
Turn right onto CR V18
Continue on CR V18
Arrive at destination
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.
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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 50m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, 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 81.3 miles and 1h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.7 mi from Ames, IA · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 40.7 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Brooklyn, 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 Brooklyn, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.35 one way
$24.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $13.61 | $27.23 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.35 | $30.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Ames on Sunday
Local time
8:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Brooklyn on Sunday
Local time
8:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
41 mi in
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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