Trip from Ames, IA to Greene, IA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 2m

Distance

95.8 mi

154 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

1h 53m ★

6 AM

2h 2m

8 AM

2h 20m

10 AM

2h 8m

12 PM

2h 6m

3 PM

2h 9m

5 PM

2h 19m

8 PM

1h 57m

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 Greene, IA covers 95.8 miles and takes about 2h 2m 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, IA 3, Highway 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.98 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.

Midpoint

47.9 miles from Ames, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 95.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 2m drive with frequent turns across 95.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 15 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 Greene, IA is easy. At 2h 2m 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 Greene, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35 North	—	—
IA 3	—	—
Highway 3	—	—
Central Avenue West	—	—
210th Street	—	—
South Street	—	—
Liberty Avenue	—	—
Highway 14	—	—

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 Greene, IA.

1

Start on 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

2

Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

52 mi · 55 min · I 35 North: Minneapolis

3

Take the exit slight right toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

0.5 mi · 1 min · IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

4

Turn right onto State Highway 3

8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

5

Continue on Central Avenue West

2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue West

6

Continue on State Highway 3

8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

7

Continue on 210th Street

1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

8

Continue on South Street

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Street

9

Continue on 210th Street

7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

10

Turn left onto Liberty Avenue

9.4 mi · 13 min · Liberty Avenue

11

Continue on State Highway 14

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 14

12

Turn right onto West South Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West South Street

13

Continue on West Traer Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Traer Street

14

Turn left onto North 1st Street

75 ft · 2 sec · North 1st Street

15

Arrive at your destination

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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 47.9 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 1m into the drive.

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 21 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47.9 miles or 1h 1m 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 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greene, 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 95.8 miles and 2h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Ames, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 47.9 mi from Ames, IA · 1h 1m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Washington, IA

48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Washington, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.9 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Greene, IA

The final approach into Greene, 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 Greene, IA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.98 one way

$29.95 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$16.44	$32.89
premium	$4.89	$18.44	$36.87
diesel	$5.61	$21.15	$42.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	28.7	$10.06	$4.60
Efficient EV	24	$8.38	$3.83
EV Truck/SUV	38.3	$13.41	$6.13

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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

Night in Ames on Thursday

Local time

10:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Greene, IA

Night in Greene on Thursday

Local time

10:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

23 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

2h 2m 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 Greene, IA covers 95.8 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35 North, IA 3, Highway 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 47.9 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 $14.98 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 Greene, IA is easy. At 2h 2m 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 Greene, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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

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