Origin
Forest City, IA
Morning in Forest City on Saturday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forest City, IA to Ames, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
93.5 mi
150 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forest City, IA
Nino Souza
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Forest City, IA to Ames, IA is 93.5 miles and takes about 2h 2m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive stays within Iowa, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a short trip, ideal for a quick journey or an add-on to a larger adventure. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Expect a practical, no-frills experience for this leg of your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.7 miles from Forest City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 93.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 64% of the drive utilizing major highways like I 35. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 32.7 miles on I 35, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. While primarily interstate, there are moments where you'll transition to roads like Sage Avenue and US 69, offering slight variations in the driving experience. It’s a drive that prioritizes directness over winding scenic byways.
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.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Sage Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East J Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Forest City, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 2m with 64% 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 (East J Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (US 69 / Sage Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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
|
East J Street
Turn right onto East J Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 69
Turn right onto US 69
Navigation decision point
4
12.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 69 / Sage Avenue
Turn right onto US 69 / Sage Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
39.1 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
US 69
Turn left onto US 69
Navigation decision point
4
54.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
CR D20 / 190th Street
Turn left onto CR D20 / 190th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 32.7 mi | 35m |
| Sage Avenue | 26.7 mi | 36m |
| US 69 | 26 mi | 35m |
| 190th Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| East 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| US Highway 18 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| I 35 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East J Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 32.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest City, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on South 4th Street
358 ft
·
18 sec
·
South 4th Street
2
Turn right onto East J Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East J Street
3
Turn right onto US 69
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 69
4
Turn left onto US 18; US 69
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 18
5
Turn right onto US 69
27 mi
·
36 min
·
Sage Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 69
15 mi
·
20 min
·
US 69
7
Turn left onto CR D20
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
190th Street
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward Somerset Road
9
Merge onto I 35
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 35
10
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
11
Turn right onto I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
12
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given the short 2h 2m duration, you have plenty of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Forest City in the morning or early afternoon allows ample time to reach Ames before evening. With no planned stops indicated, you can easily pull over for fuel or a quick break as needed, especially during the 32.7-mile stretch on I 35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $15 budget suggests a straightforward fill-up will suffice for this 93.5-mile trip.
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 46.7 miles from Forest City, IA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 1h 4m 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 42m
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 Forest City, 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 Forest City, IA
This is one driving day of about 93.5 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Forest City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 32.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.7 mi from Forest City, IA · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.7 miles from Forest City, 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.
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
$14.62 one way
$29.24 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.05 | $32.10 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.99 | $35.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.64 | $41.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.82 | $4.49 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.09 | $5.98 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Morning in Ames on Saturday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 11:29PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
72°F
Clarion, IA
47 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
37 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 2m 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 Forest City, IA to Ames, IA covers 93.5 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Sage Avenue, US 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.7 miles from Forest City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.62 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 Forest City, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 2m with 64% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East J Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 69): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (US 69 / Sage Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Forest City, 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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