Origin
Britt, IA
Late night in Britt on Saturday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Britt, IA to Ames, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 59m
Distance
91 mi
146 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Britt, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Britt, IA to Ames, IA is 91 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via I-35 and US-69, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within the Midwest, moving from one point in Iowa to another. It's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single day, especially if you're looking for an efficient way to cover the distance. Expect a predictable journey that's easy to navigate, making it a practical choice for many travelers.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.5 miles from Britt, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 91 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (63%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 63% of the journey taking place on major roads like I-35 and US-69. You'll experience a significant stretch of 32.7 miles on I-35, offering a consistent pace. While mostly highway, the route incorporates local roads like Sage Avenue, providing a slight variation in the driving experience. Overall, anticipate a smooth and largely uninterrupted drive, characteristic of many Midwestern road trips.
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 32.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Sage Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 18 / US Highway 18.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Britt, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 63% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (US 69 / Sage Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 36.6 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 18 / US Highway 18
Turn right onto US 18 / US Highway 18
Navigation decision point
4
9.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 69 / Sage Avenue
Turn right onto US 69 / Sage Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
36.6 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 69
Turn left onto US 69
Navigation decision point
4
51.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
CR D20 / 190th Street
Turn left onto CR D20 / 190th Street
Navigation decision point
4
55 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the ramp toward Somerset Road
Navigation decision point
Toward Somerset Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Sage Avenue | 26.7 mi | 36m |
| US 69 | 15 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 18 | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| 190th Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| East 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| I 35 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Britt, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on Main Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Main Avenue North
2
Turn right onto US 18
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 18
3
Turn right onto US 69
27 mi
·
36 min
·
Sage Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 69
15 mi
·
20 min
·
US 69
5
Turn left onto CR D20
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
190th Street
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward Somerset Road
7
Merge onto I 35
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 35
8
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
9
Turn right onto I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
10
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under two hours, this trip is ideal for a same-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to plan your fuel stops strategically, though with a $14 fuel cost estimate, it's unlikely you'll need to worry excessively. Keep an eye on the road signs for I-35 and US-69 to ensure you stay on track. Since it's a brief journey, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and arrive in Ames with plenty of daylight.
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 45.5 miles from Britt, IA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.5 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m
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 Britt, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Britt, IA
This is one driving day of about 91 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Britt, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 32.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.5 mi from Britt, IA · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 45.5 miles from Britt, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.23 one way
$28.45 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.62 | $31.24 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.51 | $35.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.09 | $40.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.56 | $4.37 |
| Efficient EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.96 | $3.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.74 | $5.82 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 Saturday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
37 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
1h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Britt, IA to Ames, IA covers 91 miles and takes about 1h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Sage Avenue, US 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.5 miles from Britt, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.23 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 Britt, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 63% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US Highway 18): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (US 69 / Sage Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 36.6 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point.
The route from Britt, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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