Trip from Melcher-Dallas, 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

1h 30m

Distance

70.7 mi

114 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

15 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min

4 AM

1h 23m ★

6 AM

1h 30m

8 AM

1h 44m

10 AM

1h 35m

12 PM

1h 34m

3 PM

1h 36m

5 PM

1h 43m

8 PM

1h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Melcher-Dallas, IA to Ames, IA covers 70.7 miles and takes about 1h 30m 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 5, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.7 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.05 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

35.4 miles from Melcher-Dallas, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 70.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 30m highway drive covering 70.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and State Highway 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 25.7 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 25.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 5. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR S45 / B Street Northwest.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR S45 / B Street Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (CR S45 / 1st Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR S45 / B Street Northwest

At end of road, turn left onto CR S45 / B Street Northwest

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

5

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR S45 / 1st Street Northwest

Turn right onto CR S45 / 1st Street Northwest

Navigation decision point

5

38.6 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

7

40.7 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

6

42 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 35

Merge onto I 35 toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	25.7 mi	28m
State Highway 5	18.2 mi	20m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway	10.3 mi	11m
County Road S45	9.2 mi	16m
East 13th Street	2.7 mi	5m
I 80	0.9 mi	1m
Northeast Main Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
1st Street Northwest	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 25.7 mi, about 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Melcher-Dallas, IA and Ames, IA.

1

Start on CR S45

462 ft · 14 sec · Northeast Main Street

2

At end of road, turn left onto CR S45

367 ft · 9 sec · B Street Northwest

3

Turn right onto CR S45

461 ft · 9 sec · 1st Street Northwest

4

Continue on CR S45

9.2 mi · 16 min · County Road S45

5

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 8 sec · this road

6

Continue on IA 5

18 mi · 20 min · State Highway 5

7

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

8

Merge onto US 65

10 mi · 11 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway

9

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 84 Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs

10

Merge onto I 80

0.9 mi · 1 min · I 80

11

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

12

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 42 sec · this road

Exit 137B Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis

13

Continue on this road

0.5 mi · 52 sec · this road

Exit 137B Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis

14

Merge onto I 35

26 mi · 28 min · I 35

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward USDA Veterinary Labs

16

Turn left onto East 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 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 35.4 miles from Melcher-Dallas, IA, or about 46m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.7 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 16 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 35.4 miles or 46m 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 15m

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 Melcher-Dallas, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Melcher-Dallas, IA

This is one driving day of about 70.7 miles and 1h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Melcher-Dallas, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 25.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.4 mi from Melcher-Dallas, IA · 46m into the drive

city in Polk County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Altoona, IA

35 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.

Popular next leg

Altoona, IA to Ames, IA

35.3 mi · 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Altoona, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Altoona, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Melcher-Dallas, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.7

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

1.2 mi

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.7

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.8 mi

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.7 mi

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.5

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+15159647374

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15152920100

Visit website

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152927429

Visit website

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.4

Altoona, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15156307433

Visit website

Smokey Row Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.1

Pleasantville, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15158485959

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 65.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

Tosca

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15152925258

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 65.7

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 70.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Center Grove Orchard

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 55.6

Cambridge, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+15153834354

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.05 one way

$22.11 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$12.14	$24.27
premium	$4.89	$13.61	$27.21
diesel	$5.61	$15.61	$31.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

15 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Des Moines, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Ames Ford Lincoln

Ames, IA

EV Connect

8 DCFC

Kwik Star - Tesla Supercharger

Ames, IA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Altoona, IA

Tesla

6 DCFC

2930 SE 14th St

Des Moines, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

1419 1st Ave N

Altoona, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

3590 Prairie Fire NW

Altoona, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

2540 E Euclid Ave

Des Moines, IA

CHARGELAB

4 DCFC

CHARGELAB: 5 ChargePoint Network: 4 Tesla: 3 Non-Networked: 1 EV Connect: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	21.2	$7.42	$3.39
Efficient EV	17.7	$6.19	$2.83
EV Truck/SUV	28.3	$9.90	$4.52

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Melcher-Dallas, IA

Morning in Melcher-Dallas on Saturday

Local time

11:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Morning in Ames on Saturday

Local time

11:31 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Altoona, IA

35 mi in

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

18 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 30m 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 Melcher-Dallas, IA to Ames, IA covers 70.7 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, State Highway 5, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 35.4 miles from Melcher-Dallas, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.05 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR S45 / B Street Northwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.2 miles (CR S45 / 1st Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Melcher-Dallas, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Melcher-Dallas, IA or browse trips ending in Ames, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.

Trip from Melcher-Dallas, IA to Ames, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ames, IA

Nearby Places

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

Cafe Diem

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

Cafe Diem

The Cafe

Cafe Beaudelaire

Burger Shed Restaurant Altoona

Smokey Row Coffee

The Mucky Duck Pub

Tosca

Cafe Diem

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Vinyl Cafe

Labyrinth Coffee

Bookends Cafe

Cafe Milo

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Discover Ames

Center Grove Orchard

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Melcher-Dallas, IA

Ames, IA

Same local time

18 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Melcher-Dallas, IA to Ames, IA?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How hard is the drive from Melcher-Dallas, IA to Ames, IA?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Melcher-Dallas, IA to Ames, IA?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Ames, IA

More from Melcher-Dallas, IA

More trips to Ames, IA