Origin
Fairfax, IA
Afternoon in Fairfax on Friday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfax, 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
2h 4m
Distance
101.3 mi
163 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfax, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 101.3-mile drive from Fairfax, Iowa, to Ames, Iowa, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 4 minutes. With 93% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel between two points within the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is around $16, making it an economical option for a day trip. You won't need to break this drive up overnight, and with no specific stops recommended in the data, you have the flexibility to make it a quick point-to-point transit. This route is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss connection through rural Iowa.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.6 miles from Fairfax, 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 2h 4m. Total distance: 101.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-dominant experience on this trip, with 93% of the 101.3 miles taking place on faster roads. The primary artery for most of your journey will be US 30, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.9 miles. This means you’ll likely encounter consistent speeds and a relatively smooth progression from Fairfax to Ames. While the route is predominantly highway, you'll navigate through East 13th Street and 80th Street Southwest, suggesting brief transitions before returning to the main highway corridors. The profile indicates a 'Highway-focused drive,' so prepare for a steady pace with minimal detours off the main path.
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 92.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and East 13th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Church 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 2h 4m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 151 / Williams Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
|
Church Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 151 / Williams Boulevard
Turn right onto US 151 / Williams Boulevard
Navigation decision point
7
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 30 West, US 218 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North
4
96.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
4
98.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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 | 92.9 mi | 1h 47m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| 80th Street Southwest | 2 mi | 4m |
| I 35 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Williams Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Church Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Vanderbilt Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on Vanderbilt Street
443 ft
·
21 sec
·
Vanderbilt Street
2
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Church Street
3
Turn right onto US 151
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Williams Boulevard
4
Turn left onto 80th Street Southwest
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
80th Street Southwest
5
Take the ramp
226 ft
·
5 sec
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North
7
Merge onto US 30; US 218
93 mi
·
1 hr 47 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 2-hour duration and 101.3-mile length, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time in Ames or to simply get your travel done efficiently. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before hitting the road, especially since the longest stretch on US 30 is nearly 93 miles. While no specific stops are noted, it’s always wise to take a short break if you feel fatigued, even on shorter drives. The highway-focused nature means you can maintain a consistent speed, but be mindful of potential construction or traffic as you approach 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 50.6 miles from Fairfax, IA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.6 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 40m
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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, IA
This is one driving day of about 101.3 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Fairfax, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.6 mi from Fairfax, IA · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.6 miles from Fairfax, 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 92.9 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
$15.84 one way
$31.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $17.39 | $34.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $19.49 | $38.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.37 | $44.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.64 | $4.86 |
| Efficient EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.18 | $6.48 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Afternoon in Ames on Friday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph
27% chance
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
32 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 4m 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 Fairfax, IA to Ames, IA covers 101.3 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 30, East 13th Street, 80th Street Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.6 miles from Fairfax, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.84 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 2h 4m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 151 / Williams Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fairfax, 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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