Origin
Bondurant, IA
Evening in Bondurant on Wednesday
Local time
6:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
41m
Distance
31.6 mi
51 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bondurant, IA
Ron Lach
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA covers 31.6 miles and takes about 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, Northeast 94th Avenue, East 13th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.4 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.94 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
15.8 miles from Bondurant, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 41m highway drive covering 31.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and Northeast 94th Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 20.4 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 20.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,001 ft
873 ft
Total Climb
221 ft
Total Descent
247 ft
Highest Point
1,001 ft
~18.1 mi in
Elevation Range
128 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Northeast 94th Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Grant Street South.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 41m with 64% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Grant Street South): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Northeast 94th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 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
|
Grant Street South
Turn right onto Grant Street South
Navigation decision point
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Northeast 94th Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast 94th Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
8.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
28.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward USDA Veterinary Labs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
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 Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Usda Veterinary Labs along the way.
Usda Veterinary Labs
28.7 mi in
|
~35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 20.4 mi | 22m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Northeast 72nd Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Grant Street South | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 1st Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 20.4 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bondurant, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on 1st Street Southeast
300 ft
·
15 sec
·
1st Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto Grant Street South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Grant Street South
3
Continue on Northeast 72nd Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast 72nd Street
4
Turn left onto Northeast 94th Avenue
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Northeast 94th Avenue
5
Continue on East 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East 1st Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
7
Merge onto I 35
20 mi
·
22 min
·
I 35
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
9
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
10
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
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 15.8 miles from Bondurant, IA, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.4 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 31.6 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.8 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Bondurant, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bondurant, IA
This is one driving day of about 31.6 miles and 41m.
At 31.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 20.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.8 mi from Bondurant, IA · 21m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.8 miles from Bondurant, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ames, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ames, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.94 one way
$9.88 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.42 | $10.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.08 | $12.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.98 | $13.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Ames, IA
Evening in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
6:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
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
41m 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 Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA covers 31.6 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Northeast 94th Avenue, 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 15.8 miles from Bondurant, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.94 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 Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 41m with 64% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Grant Street South): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (Northeast 94th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
On the drive from Bondurant, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Usda Veterinary Labs along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 873 ft to 1,001 ft elevation with about 221 ft of total climbing.
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