Origin
Ely, IA
Night in Ely on Wednesday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ely, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
110.6 mi
178 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ely, IA
Yusuf Çelik
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 110.6-mile drive from Ely to Ames, Iowa, is a straightforward trip perfect for a single day, taking about 2 hours and 14 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 30, with segments on Ely Road and East 13th Street, making it a largely highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, this is an economical option for a short getaway within the Midwest. The journey is designed to get you from point A to point B efficiently, with no overnight stays recommended. It's a practical choice if you're looking for a reliable and uncomplicated way to travel between these two Iowa locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Ely, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that's 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 100.4 miles on US 30, offering a consistent pace. This route emphasizes forward momentum rather than varied scenery, giving you a sense of continuous travel. You'll experience the predictable nature of a highway-focused journey, designed for efficient transit across the landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 100.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and Ely Road. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR W6E / State Street.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Ely, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 14m with 92% 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 (CR W6E / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (C Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR W6E / State Street
At end of road, turn right onto CR W6E / State Street
Navigation decision point
3
4.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
C Street Southwest
Turn right onto C Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
6
5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward US 30 west, US 151 south
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 west, US 151 south
4
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
4
107.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward USDA Veterinary Labs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 100.4 mi | 1h 56m |
| Ely Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| I 35 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| State Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| C Street Southwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Dows Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 100.4 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ely, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on Dows Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Dows Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto CR W6E
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
3
Continue on CR W6E
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Ely Road
4
Turn right onto C Street Southwest
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
C Street Southwest
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 30 west, US 151 south
6
Merge onto US 30; US 151
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US 30; US 151
7
Continue on US 30; US 218
96 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
US 30; US 218
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
9
Merge onto I 35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
11
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
12
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 14 minutes, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. Starting your drive in the morning will allow you to reach Ames with plenty of daylight. While there are no mandated stops, planning for a brief break around the halfway point, perhaps near the longest stretch on US 30, can help keep you refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $17 cost is based on the full 110.6 miles, and ensure you have enough to comfortably reach Ames.
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 55.3 miles from Ely, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.4 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 24 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 7m 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 48m
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 Ely, 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 Ely, IA
This is one driving day of about 110.6 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Ely, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 100.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.3 mi from Ely, IA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.3 miles from Ely, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.4 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.29 one way
$34.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.98 | $37.97 |
| premium | $4.89 | $21.28 | $42.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.42 | $48.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.61 | $5.31 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.68 | $4.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.48 | $7.08 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Night in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
2h 14m 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 Ely, IA to Ames, IA covers 110.6 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, Ely Road, 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 55.3 miles from Ely, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.29 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 Ely, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 14m with 92% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR W6E / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.7 miles (C Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ely, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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