Origin
Bedford, IA
Late night in Bedford on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bedford, IA to Ames, IA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
153.2 mi
246 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bedford, IA
Kristian Thomas
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 153.2-mile trip from Bedford, Iowa to Ames, Iowa is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 10 minutes. It's a perfect one-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The route is almost entirely highway, making for a quick journey through the heart of the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it's an affordable option for a quick getaway. You'll primarily be on I-35, so expect a familiar interstate experience.
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
76.6 miles from Bedford, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 97% of your journey, primarily utilizing I-35. This means consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100.1 miles on I-35, offering a substantial period of steady driving. While largely an interstate experience, you'll also navigate parts of State Highway 2 and East 13th Street, which may offer slight variations in the driving feel before rejoining the main highway. This route prioritizes efficiency over diverse scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 100.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 2. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Pearl Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (CR N44 / Pearl Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 49.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pearl Street
Turn right onto Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR N44 / Pearl Street
Keep slight left at fork onto CR N44 / Pearl Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
49.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
50.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
123.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, De...
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 Bedford, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
Des Moines
123.2 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via I 35
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 100.1 mi | 1h 49m |
| State Highway 2 | 48.7 mi | 1h 11m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Pearl Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| County Road N44 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 100.1 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bedford, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on IA 148
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Madison Street
2
Turn right onto Pearl Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Pearl Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto CR N44
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Pearl Street
4
Continue on CR N44
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
County Road N44
5
Turn right onto IA 2
13 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 2
6
Continue on IA 2
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 2
7
Continue on IA 2
34 mi
·
49 min
·
State Highway 2
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
9
Merge onto I 35
73 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
12
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
13
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour duration, this route is best tackled in one day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With just one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility. The longest stretch on I-35 is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you hit that long segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the latter half of that extended highway portion.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.6 miles from Bedford, IA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.1 miles.
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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 43m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bedford, 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 Bedford, IA
This is one driving day of about 153.2 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bedford, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 100.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.6 mi from Bedford, IA · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.6 miles from Bedford, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.1 miles.
Arriving in Ames, IA
The final approach into Ames, 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 Ames, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.95 one way
$47.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.30 | $52.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.48 | $58.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.82 | $67.65 |
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: 53.6 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 | 46 | 0 | $16.09 | $7.35 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.45 | $9.80 |
Gas CO2
54 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ames, IA
Late night in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
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
3h 10m 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 Bedford, IA to Ames, IA covers 153.2 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, State Highway 2, East 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 76.6 miles from Bedford, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (CR N44 / Pearl Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 49.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Bedford, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Des Moines along the way.
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