Origin
Mitchellville, IA
Afternoon in Mitchellville on Thursday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mitchellville, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
51m
Distance
41.6 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mitchellville, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mitchellville, IA to Ames, IA covers 41.6 miles and takes about 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, I 80, East 13th Street 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 $6.50 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 41.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 51m highway drive covering 41.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and I 80. 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 13 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 I 80. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR S27 / Center Avenue North.
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 51m drive. You will face about 8 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 (CR S27 / Center Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
|
CR S27 / Center Avenue North
Turn right onto CR S27 / Center Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest
At end of road, turn left onto CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
4
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
7
11.5 mi into trip
|
~14m 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
12.9 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mitchellville, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Usda Veterinary Labs along the way.
Usda Veterinary Labs
38.6 mi in
|
~45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 25.7 mi | 28m |
| I 80 | 9.8 mi | 10m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Northeast 112th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Center Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 13th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 25.7 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mitchellville, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northeast
97 ft
·
8 sec
·
2nd Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto CR S27
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Center Avenue North
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR S27
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
6th Street Northwest
4
Turn right onto CR S27
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 112th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
6
Merge onto I 80; US 6
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
I 80; US 6
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Continue on this road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
this road
Exit 137B
Toward I-35 North: Minneapolis
10
Merge onto I 35
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 35
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
12
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
13
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.8 mi from Mitchellville, IA · 25m 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 41.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.8 miles from Mitchellville, 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
$6.50 one way
$13.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.14 | $14.28 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.01 | $16.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.18 | $18.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
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 | $4.37 | $2.00 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.82 | $2.66 |
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
Afternoon in Ames on Thursday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
51m 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 Mitchellville, IA to Ames, IA covers 41.6 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 80, East 13th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.8 miles from Mitchellville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.50 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 51m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR S27 / Center Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR S27 / 6th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Mitchellville, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Usda Veterinary Labs along the way.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ames, IA
More trips to Ames, IA
Explore more options from Mitchellville, IA or browse trips ending in Ames, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Mitchellville, IA or Ames, IA on MapSof.net.