Origin
De Soto, IA
Morning in De Soto on Friday
Local time
10:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from De Soto, IA to Ames, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
57.5 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 12m
5 PM
1h 18m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
De Soto, IA
Jesus Alfonso
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
De Soto, IA to Ames, IA is 57.5 miles and takes about 1h 8m via I 35 and I 80, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to the Midwest region. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making for a straightforward journey. Given the short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a quick day trip or as a segment of a larger Iowa adventure. Plan for a mostly highway-focused experience that gets you to your destination efficiently.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 57.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is heavily focused on the highway, with 94% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 35 and I 80. Expect a relatively fast-paced experience, especially during the longest stretch of 27 miles on I 35. The profile is predominantly highway-focused, meaning you'll encounter higher speed limits and fewer local road complexities for most of the trip. Transitioning onto East 13th Street will likely mark the final approach to Ames, offering a slight change in scenery as you enter the city.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 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 27 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 169 / Guthrie Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 8m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 169 / Guthrie Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 13.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 169 / Guthrie Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 169 / Guthrie Street
Navigation decision point
3
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 80
Merge onto I 80
Merge point - match speed before joining
9
13.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
8
27.6 mi into trip
|
~32m 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...
4
54.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m 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.
Between De Soto, IA and Ames, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Usda Veterinary Labs.
Minneapolis
13.2 mi in
|
~15m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
13.2 mi in
|
~15m
|
via I 80
Des Moines
27.6 mi in
|
~32m
|
via I 35
Usda Veterinary Labs
54.5 mi in
|
~1h 1m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 27 mi | 29m |
| I 80 | 26.5 mi | 29m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Guthrie Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| US 6 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Maple Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 27 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between De Soto, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on Maple Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Maple Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 169
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Guthrie Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 6
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 6
4
Merge onto I 80
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 80
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 80
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
8
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
9
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.8 mi from De Soto, IA · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.8 miles from De Soto, 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
$8.99 one way
$17.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.87 | $19.74 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.07 | $22.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.70 | $25.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.05 | $3.68 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 Friday
Local time
10:34 AM
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
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 8m 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 De Soto, IA to Ames, IA covers 57.5 miles and takes about 1h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 80, 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 28.8 miles from De Soto, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.99 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.
This is a straightforward 1h 8m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 169 / Guthrie Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 80): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 13.2 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between De Soto, IA and Ames, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Usda Veterinary Labs.
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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