Origin
Independence, IA
Late night in Independence on Friday
Local time
5:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Independence, IA to Ames, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
121.2 mi
195 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Independence, IA
Roger Ce
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 121.2-mile drive from Independence, IA, to Ames, IA, is easily manageable in about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on the Avenue of the Saints, I-35, and US-20, with 41% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, so it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given the relatively short distance and duration, you won't need to split this into an overnight stay, offering flexibility for your schedule. This route offers a straightforward journey through Iowa's heartland.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.6 miles from Independence, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 121.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is mixed, offering a blend of highway speeds and more traditional road travel. You'll experience a significant 66.5-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, which will likely feel like a continuous journey. With 41% of the route on highways, expect periods of faster travel interspersed with sections on US-20. This variety means you won't encounter a monotonous interstate grind for the entire 2 hours and 21 minutes. The road changes will keep your driving experience engaging as you move between these different thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East.
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 2h 21m drive. You will face about 9 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 (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
4
23 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
89.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
4
118.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 66.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| I 35 | 28.6 mi | 30m |
| US 20 | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| East 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| I 35 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 1st Street East | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on 5th Avenue Southeast
42 ft
·
9 sec
·
5th Avenue Southeast
2
Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
1st Street East
3
Turn left onto IA 150
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
5
Merge onto US 20
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 20
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 35
29 mi
·
30 min
·
I 35
9
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
10
Turn right onto I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
11
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
For this 121.2-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ames and explore. The drive is only 2 hours and 21 minutes, so you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops; perhaps one quick break would suffice. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 66.5-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent. The total fuel cost is estimated at $19, so you can budget accordingly. Given the short duration, consider this a straightforward journey with minimal logistical planning required.
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 60.6 miles from Independence, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.6 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
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 Independence, 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 Independence, IA
This is one driving day of about 121.2 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Independence, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.6 mi from Independence, IA · 1h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.6 miles from Independence, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 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
$18.95 one way
$37.90 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.80 | $41.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.32 | $46.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.76 | $53.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.73 | $5.82 |
| Efficient EV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.61 | $4.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.97 | $7.76 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
5:34 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 21m 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 Independence, IA to Ames, IA covers 121.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, I 35, US 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.6 miles from Independence, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.95 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.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Independence, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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