Carroll, IA to Ames, IA is 67.8 miles and takes about 1 hour 33 minutes via 220th Street, County Road N33, and 230th Street, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip connecting two points within Iowa's Midwest region. The drive primarily utilizes local roads, so don't expect high-speed highway travel. It's a short enough distance that you can easily fit it into your schedule, offering a relaxed pace for exploring the heartland.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Carroll, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 67.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This route offers a turn-heavy local drive with zero highway share, meaning you'll be navigating primarily county roads and smaller streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.4 miles on 220th Street. Expect a more engaging driving experience with frequent turns rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The road character will likely involve a mix of rural landscapes and passing through smaller communities as you make your way across the Iowa countryside.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 44.4 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Carroll, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 1h 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 30 / East 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 30 / East 6th Street
Turn left onto US 30 / East 6th Street
Navigation decision point
4
64.6 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward Iowa State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Iowa State University
3
66 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|South 4th Street
Turn right onto South 4th Street
Navigation decision point
4
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 35 Business / 13th Street
Turn right onto I 35 Business / 13th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
220th Street
44.4 mi
58m
County Road N33
10.3 mi
13m
230th Street
7.6 mi
8m
East 6th Street
2.3 mi
4m
University Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Grand Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
South 4th Street
0.7 mi
1m
South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 44.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carroll, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on this road
129 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right
74 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto US 30
2.3 mi·4 min·East 6th Street
4
Continue on US 30
10 mi·13 min·County Road N33
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 30
44 mi·58 min·220th Street
6
Continue on US 30
7.6 mi·8 min·230th Street
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Iowa State University
8
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·University Boulevard
9
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South 4th Street
10
Turn left onto South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Grand Avenue
11
Continue on I 35 Business; US 69
0.8 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
12
Turn right onto I 35 Business
117 ft·3 sec·13th Street
13
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour 33 minute duration, this is an easy same-day trip. You can leave anytime, but consider a mid-morning departure to allow for a leisurely start and arrive in Ames with plenty of afternoon time. With no major highway stretches, the longest segment is 44.4 miles, so you can easily go the whole way without needing a dedicated fuel stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have longer distances between services compared to interstates, and plan your departure from Carroll after ensuring you have a full tank.
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 33.9 miles from Carroll, IA, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 15 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 46m 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 17m
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 Carroll, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carroll, IA
This is one driving day of about 67.8 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Carroll, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on 220th Street for about 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.9 mi from Carroll, IA
· 46m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.60 one way
$21.20 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$11.64
$23.28
premium
$4.89
$13.05
$26.09
diesel
$5.61
$14.97
$29.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.3
0
$7.12
$3.25
Efficient EV
17
0
$5.93
$2.71
EV Truck/SUV
27.1
0
$9.49
$4.34
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Carroll, IA
Morning
in Carroll on Friday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ames, IA
Morning
in Ames on Friday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Boone, IA
34 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
18 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 33m 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 Carroll, IA to Ames, IA covers 67.8 miles and takes about 1h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, County Road N33, 230th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.9 miles from Carroll, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.60 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 Carroll, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 1h 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 30 / East 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 64.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Carroll, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
