Origin
Burlington, IA
Morning in Burlington on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burlington, IA to Ames, IA
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
196.5 mi
316 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burlington, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Burlington, IA to Ames, IA covers 196.5 miles and takes about 3h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 34, US 63, I 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.1 miles on US 34. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.72 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.3 miles from Burlington, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 51m highway drive covering 196.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 34 and US 63. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.1 miles on US 34.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 34 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 34 and US 63. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 196.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.1 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
5
27.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 34; IA 163
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163 toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfiel...
5
29.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 34; IA 163
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 45
7
166.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
6
167.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
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 Burlington, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.
Fairfield
27.1 mi in
|
~32m
|
via US 34; IA 163
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 34 | 88.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 63 | 69.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 35 | 25.7 mi | 28m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Avenue of the Saints | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 80 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Central Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 34
— 88.1 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on South Central Avenue
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
South Central Avenue
2
Continue on North Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Central Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
4
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 34; IA 163
5
Take the exit onto US 34; IA 163
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 34; IA 163
Toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield
6
Merge onto US 34; US 218; IA 27; IA 163
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 34; IA 163
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 34; IA 163
Exit 45
8
Continue on US 63; IA 163
69 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
US 63; IA 163
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
10
Merge onto US 65
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
11
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 84
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
12
Merge onto I 80
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
15
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
16
Merge onto I 35
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
18
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
19
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
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 98.3 miles from Burlington, IA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, IA
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Burlington, 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 US 34 for about 88.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.3 mi from Burlington, IA · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 98.3 miles from Burlington, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 34 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.1 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.72 one way
$61.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.73 | $67.46 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.81 | $75.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.38 | $86.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.63 | $9.43 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.51 | $12.58 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Morning in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
7:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Indiana, IA
98 mi in
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
3 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 51m 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 Burlington, IA to Ames, IA covers 196.5 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 34, US 63, I 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.3 miles from Burlington, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.72 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 196.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.1 miles (US 34; IA 163): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.6 miles (US 34; IA 163): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Burlington, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Fairfield along the way.
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