Origin
Greene, IA
Late night in Greene on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greene, IA to Ames, IA
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
95.7 mi
154 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greene, IA
Thirdman
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Greene, IA to Ames, IA covers 95.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, State Highway 3, Liberty Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.4 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.96 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.
Midpoint
47.9 miles from Greene, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 95.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 1m highway drive covering 95.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and State Highway 3. The longest continuous stretch is about 51.4 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 51.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR C13 / East Traer Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Greene, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 1m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR C13 / East Traer Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (IA 14 / State Highway 14): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (IA 3 / 210th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR C13 / East Traer Street
Turn right onto CR C13 / East Traer Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
IA 14 / State Highway 14
Turn left onto IA 14 / State Highway 14
Navigation decision point
5
10.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
IA 3 / 210th Street
At end of road, turn right onto IA 3 / 210th Street
Navigation decision point
6
41.2 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Hampton, Clarion
4
92.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
I 35 Business
Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 35 Business: 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 Greene, IA and Ames, IA, road signs point toward Hampton and Clarion.
Hampton
41.2 mi in
|
~1h
Clarion
41.2 mi in
|
~1h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 51.4 mi | 55m |
| State Highway 3 | 17.2 mi | 23m |
| Liberty Avenue | 9.4 mi | 14m |
| 210th Street | 9.2 mi | 12m |
| East 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Central Avenue East | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 14 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 51.4 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greene, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on North 1st Street
74 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 1st Street
2
Turn right onto CR C13
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Traer Street
3
Continue on CR C13
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West South Street
4
Turn left onto IA 14
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 14
5
Continue on IA 14
9.4 mi
·
14 min
·
Liberty Avenue
6
At end of road, turn right onto IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
7
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
8
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
9
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
10
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue East
11
Continue on IA 3
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
12
Continue on IA 3
517 ft
·
13 sec
·
Balsam Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Hampton, Clarion
14
Merge onto I 35
51 mi
·
55 min
·
I 35
15
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
16
Turn right onto I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
17
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.9 miles from Greene, IA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.9 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 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 Greene, 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 Greene, IA
This is one driving day of about 95.7 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Greene, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 51.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.9 mi from Greene, IA · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 47.9 miles from Greene, 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
$14.96 one way
$29.92 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.43 | $32.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.42 | $36.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.13 | $42.26 |
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: 33.5 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 | 28.7 | 0 | $10.05 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.37 | $3.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.12 |
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
Late night in Ames on Friday
Local time
1:48 AM
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
23 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 1m 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 Greene, IA to Ames, IA covers 95.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, State Highway 3, Liberty Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.9 miles from Greene, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.96 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 Greene, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 1m with 73% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR C13 / East Traer Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (IA 14 / State Highway 14): Navigation decision point; at 10.8 miles (IA 3 / 210th Street): Navigation decision point.
Between Greene, IA and Ames, IA, road signs point toward Hampton and Clarion.
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