Origin
Hartley, IA
Late night in Hartley on Saturday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hartley, 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
3h 43m
Distance
178.6 mi
287 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hartley, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hartley, IA to Ames, IA covers 178.6 miles and takes about 3h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 20, 130th Avenue, I 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.8 miles on US 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.92 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
89.3 miles from Hartley, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 178.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 43m highway drive covering 178.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 20 and 130th Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.8 miles on US 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and 130th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Central Avenue.
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 3h 43m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 18 / 320th Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles (180th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Central Avenue
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 18 / 320th Street
Turn right onto US 18 / 320th Street
Navigation decision point
4
12.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
180th Avenue
Turn right onto 180th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
15.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
B24 / County Road B24
At end of road, turn left onto B24 / County Road B24
Navigation decision point
5
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 80.8 mi | 1h 33m |
| 130th Avenue | 29.1 mi | 39m |
| I 35 | 28.1 mi | 30m |
| 215th Avenue | 13.4 mi | 18m |
| 320th Street | 12.5 mi | 17m |
| 180th Avenue | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| East 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| 11th Avenue Southwest | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hartley, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on 1st Street Southeast
26 ft
·
3 sec
·
1st Street Southeast
2
Turn right onto South Central Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Central Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 18
12 mi
·
17 min
·
320th Street
4
Turn right onto 180th Avenue
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
180th Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto B24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road B24
6
Continue on West 4th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 4th Street
7
Turn right onto 32nd Avenue West
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
32nd Avenue West
8
Continue on 200th Avenue
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
200th Avenue
9
Turn left onto 360th Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
360th Street
10
Turn right onto US 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Avenue Southwest
11
Continue on US 71
13 mi
·
18 min
·
215th Avenue
12
Continue on US 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
130th Avenue
13
Continue on US 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway 71
14
Continue on US 71
28 mi
·
37 min
·
130th Avenue
15
Continue on IA 471
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 71
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
17
Merge onto US 20; US 71
81 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
US 20; US 71
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
19
Merge onto I 35
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 35
20
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
21
Turn right onto I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
22
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 89.3 miles from Hartley, IA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 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 39 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
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 Hartley, 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 Hartley, IA
This is one driving day of about 178.6 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Hartley, 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 20 for about 80.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.3 mi from Hartley, IA · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.3 miles from Hartley, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 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
$27.92 one way
$55.84 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.66 | $61.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.37 | $68.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.43 | $78.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.75 | $8.57 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.63 | $7.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.4 | 0 | $25.00 | $11.43 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Late night in Ames on Saturday
Local time
4:41 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
24 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
3h 43m 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 Hartley, IA to Ames, IA covers 178.6 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 20, 130th Avenue, 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 89.3 miles from Hartley, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Central Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 18 / 320th Street): Navigation decision point; at 12.8 miles (180th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Hartley, 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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