Trip from Ames, IA to Eagle Grove, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 21m

Distance

64.5 mi

104 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 19 min

4 AM

1h 15m ★

6 AM

1h 21m

8 AM

1h 34m

10 AM

1h 26m

12 PM

1h 24m

3 PM

1h 26m

5 PM

1h 33m

8 PM

1h 17m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Ames, IA to Eagle Grove, IA covers 64.5 miles and takes about 1h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35 North, US 20 West, IA 17 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.08 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 64.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 21m drive with frequent turns across 64.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 35 North is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Ames, IA to Eagle Grove, IA is easy. At 1h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ames, IA to Eagle Grove, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35 North	—	—
US 20 West	—	—
IA 17 North	—	—
Stagecoach Road	—	—
220th Street	—	—
Highway 17	—	—
South Commercial Avenue	—	—
West Broadway Street	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: I 35 North — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Eagle Grove, IA.

1

Start on 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

2

Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

29 mi · 31 min · I 35 North: Minneapolis

3

Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

0.3 mi · 57 sec · US 20 West: Fort Dodge

4

Merge slight left

17 mi · 19 min

5

Take the exit slight right toward IA 17 North

0.4 mi · 53 sec · IA 17 North

6

Turn right onto Stagecoach Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Stagecoach Road

7

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

0.4 mi · 39 sec · 220th Street

8

Turn right onto Stagecoach Road

5.9 mi · 8 min · Stagecoach Road

9

Continue on State Highway 17

6.7 mi · 9 min · State Highway 17

10

Continue on South Commercial Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Commercial Avenue

11

Turn right onto West Broadway Street

30 ft · 1 sec · West Broadway Street

12

Arrive at your destination

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.3 mi from Ames, IA · 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Story City, IA

32 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

Gilbert, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Story City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.3 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Eagle Grove, IA

The final approach into Eagle Grove, 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

$10.08 one way

$20.17 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$11.07	$22.14
premium	$4.89	$12.41	$24.82
diesel	$5.61	$14.24	$28.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	19.3	$6.77	$3.10
Efficient EV	16.1	$5.64	$2.58
EV Truck/SUV	25.8	$9.03	$4.13

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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

Afternoon in Ames on Thursday

Local time

1:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eagle Grove, IA

Afternoon in Eagle Grove on Thursday

Local time

1:13 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 21m 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 Eagle Grove, IA covers 64.5 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35 North, US 20 West, IA 17 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 32.3 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 $10.08 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 Eagle Grove, IA is easy. At 1h 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ames, IA to Eagle Grove, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Ames, IA to Eagle Grove, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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