Origin
Humboldt, IA
Afternoon in Humboldt on Thursday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
77.7 mi
125 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 25m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Humboldt, IA
ΘSWΛLD
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Humboldt and Ames, this 77.7-mile journey offers a straightforward connection within the Iowa Midwest. Spanning approximately 1 hour and 24 minutes, the trip is perfectly suited as a simple one-day excursion. You will navigate primarily via local roads like South 6th Street, Sumner Avenue, and 4th Avenue Southwest rather than major interstates. With a fuel budget of roughly $12, it is an economical route that requires no overnight stops. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this direct path keeps your travel logistics minimal and predictable.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 77.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features zero highway miles, forcing you to navigate through the heart of the local landscape. Because the journey relies entirely on surface roads, you will experience a more technical pace compared to high-speed transit. There are no exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches, meaning the character of the road shifts frequently as you transition through various local intersections. It is an engaging, hands-on driving experience that keeps you active throughout the entire 1 hour and 24-minute duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 6th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 1h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 6th Street | — | — |
| Sumner Avenue | — | — |
| 4th Avenue Southwest | — | — |
| 13th Street South | — | — |
| Lincoln Avenue | — | — |
| US 20 East | — | — |
| I 35 South | — | — |
| I 35 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South 6th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Humboldt, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on the route
213 ft
·
18 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto South 6th Street
210 ft
·
15 sec
·
South 6th Street
3
Turn left onto Sumner Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Sumner Avenue
4
Turn right onto 4th Avenue Southwest
509 ft
·
16 sec
·
4th Avenue Southwest
5
Turn left onto 13th Street South
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
13th Street South
6
Continue on Lincoln Avenue
19 mi
·
25 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
7
Turn left onto US 20 East
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 20 East
8
Merge slight left
31 mi
·
35 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35 South: Des Moines
10
Merge slight left
28 mi
·
30 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
12
Turn right onto East 13th Street
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
13
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.8 mi from Humboldt, IA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Humboldt, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.15 one way
$24.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.34 | $26.67 |
| premium | $4.89 | $14.95 | $29.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.16 | $34.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.88 | $4.97 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Afternoon in Ames on Thursday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Homer, IA
39 mi in
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
1h 24m 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 Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA covers 77.7 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South 6th Street, Sumner Avenue, 4th Avenue Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.8 miles from Humboldt, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.15 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 Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 1h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Humboldt, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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