Origin
Jefferson, IA
Night in Jefferson on Wednesday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
47m
Distance
41.7 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a short hop from Jefferson to Ames? This drive covers 41.7 miles and is estimated to take around 47 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate local roads like North Elm Street, 220nd Street, and 230th Street, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is about $6, offering a budget-friendly option. This route is a straightforward local drive within the Midwest region of Iowa, ideal for a quick connection between these two communities. It’s a simple, direct trip that won’t take up your whole day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
20.9 miles from Jefferson, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 41.7-mile journey between Jefferson and Ames. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on familiar county and town roads for the entire duration. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a route that requires your attention with frequent turns. This means you'll be constantly engaged with the road as you navigate through Iowa's local landscape. It’s not a route for autopilot; be prepared for a more hands-on driving experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Elm 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 47m 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 Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Elm Street | — | — |
| 220th Street | — | — |
| 230th Street | — | — |
| Iowa State University | — | — |
| University Boulevard | — | — |
| South 4th Street | — | — |
| South Grand Avenue | — | — |
| Grand Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Elm Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on West Lincolnway Street
23 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Lincolnway Street
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Elm Street
3
Turn right onto 220th Street
31 mi
·
40 min
·
220th Street
4
Continue on 230th Street
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
230th Street
5
Take the exit slight right toward Iowa State University
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Iowa State University
6
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
University Boulevard
7
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 4th Street
8
Turn left onto South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Grand Avenue
9
Continue on Grand Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Avenue
10
Turn right onto 13th Street
118 ft
·
3 sec
·
13th Street
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 47-minute duration and 41.7-mile distance, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after a relaxed breakfast in Jefferson. Since there are no major highway stretches or specified long stretches between services, planning for fuel isn't critical unless your tank is very low. The main roads, including North Elm Street, 220nd Street, and 230th Street, are local, so be mindful of posted speed limits and potential agricultural equipment, especially if traveling during planting or harvest seasons. With a low fuel cost of around $6, you won’t need to worry about finding a gas station mid-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 20.9 miles from Jefferson, IA, or about 23m into the drive.
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 41.7 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.9 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Jefferson, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Jefferson, IA
This is one driving day of about 41.7 miles and 47m.
At 41.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.9 mi from Jefferson, IA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.9 miles from Jefferson, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ames, IA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ames, IA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.52 one way
$13.04 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.16 | $14.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.02 | $16.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.21 | $18.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.38 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.84 | $2.67 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Night in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
50°F
Boone, IA
21 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
4 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
47m 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 Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA covers 41.7 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Elm Street, 220th Street, 230th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.9 miles from Jefferson, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.52 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 Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 47m 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 Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Jefferson, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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