Trip from Fairfield, IA to Ames, IA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

141.8 mi

228 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 39m ★

6 AM

2h 50m

8 AM

3h 11m

10 AM

2h 57m

12 PM

2h 55m

3 PM

2h 58m

5 PM

3h 10m

8 PM

2h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Fairfield, IA

Daniel Dorfer

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Fairfield, IA to Ames, IA covers 141.8 miles and takes about 2h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 63, US 34, I 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 69.4 miles on US 63. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.17 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

70.9 miles from Fairfield, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 141.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 49m highway drive covering 141.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 63 and US 34. The longest continuous stretch is about 69.4 miles on US 63.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 63 is the longest continuous segment at about 69.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 63 and US 34. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near IA 1 / North 2nd Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 141.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (IA 1 / North 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 1 / North 2nd Street

Turn left onto IA 1 / North 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 34 Business

Take the ramp onto US 34 Business toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa

109.7 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

111.7 mi into trip | ~2h 12m 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

113.1 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 63	69.4 mi	1h 20m
US 34	32.5 mi	37m
I 35	25.7 mi	28m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	3.8 mi	4m
East 13th Street	2.7 mi	5m
West Burlington Avenue	1.9 mi	3m
Old US 34	1 mi	1m
I 80	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 63 — 69.4 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, IA and Ames, IA.

Start on East Briggs Avenue

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Briggs Avenue

Turn left onto IA 1

0.1 mi · 18 sec · North 2nd Street

Turn right onto US 34 Business

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Burlington Avenue

Continue on US 34 Business

1.0 mi · 1 min · Old US 34

Take the ramp onto US 34 Business

0.4 mi · 54 sec · US 34 Business

Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 34; IA 163

32 mi · 37 min · US 34; IA 163

Continue on US 63; IA 163

69 mi · 1 hr 20 min · US 63; IA 163

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Merge onto US 65

3.8 mi · 4 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · this road

Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · this road

Exit 137B Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis

Merge onto I 35

26 mi · 28 min · I 35

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward USDA Veterinary Labs

Turn left onto East 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

Arrive at destination

I 35 Business

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 70.9 miles from Fairfield, IA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.4 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 31 miles or 38m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 70.9 miles or 1h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 18m

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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA

This is one driving day of about 141.8 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Fairfield, 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 63 for about 69.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 70.9 mi from Fairfield, IA · 1h 24m into the drive

city in Marion County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Pella, IA

71 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

Ottumwa, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pella, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.9 miles from Fairfield, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 63 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.4 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Green Gourmet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fairfield, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+16414722277

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Altoona, Iowa

1.6 mi

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ames, Iowa

1.8 mi

Green Gourmet Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Fairfield, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–2:30 pm

+16414722277

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 111.4

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Now Or Later Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 111.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15152669777

Visit website

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv mile 111.4

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+15152622775

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 141.8

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.17 one way

$44.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$24.34	$48.68
premium	$4.89	$27.29	$54.58
diesel	$5.61	$31.31	$62.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Des Moines, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Ames Ford Lincoln

Ames, IA

EV Connect

8 DCFC

Kwik Star - Tesla Supercharger

Ames, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Altoona, IA

Tesla

6 DCFC

110 S D Street

Oskaloosa, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

1419 1st Ave N

Altoona, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

3590 Prairie Fire NW

Altoona, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

2540 E Euclid Ave

Des Moines, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

CHARGELAB: 5 ChargePoint Network: 4 Tesla: 3 EV Connect: 2 Non-Networked: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	42.5	$14.89	$6.81
Efficient EV	35.5	$12.41	$5.67
EV Truck/SUV	56.7	$19.85	$9.08

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fairfield, IA

Evening in Fairfield on Thursday

Local time

8:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Evening in Ames on Thursday

Local time

8:28 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

19 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 49m 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 Fairfield, IA to Ames, IA covers 141.8 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 63, US 34, 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 70.9 miles from Fairfield, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.17 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Fairfield, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Fairfield, IA to Ames, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ames, IA

Nearby Places

Green Gourmet Restaurant

Green Gourmet Restaurant

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Now Or Later Restaurant

Tsing Tsao Chinese Fast Food

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Discover Ames

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fairfield, IA

Ames, IA

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 49m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Ames, IA

More from Fairfield, IA

More trips to Ames, IA