Origin
Monroe, IA
Night in Monroe on Wednesday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Monroe, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
59m
Distance
59.2 mi
95 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Monroe, IA
César O'neill
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Monroe, IA to Ames, IA covers 59.2 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Washington Street, Highway 163, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.26 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
29.6 miles from Monroe, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 59.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Washington 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 Monroe, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 59m 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 Monroe, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Street | — | — |
| Highway 163 | — | — |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | — | — |
| I 80 West | — | — |
| I-35 north | — | — |
| I-35 North | — | — |
| I 35 North | — | — |
| USDA Veterinary Labs | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Washington Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monroe, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on North Monroe Street
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Washington Street
3
Turn right onto State Highway 163
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 163
4
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge slight right
20 mi
·
23 min
6
Take the exit right
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
8
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 80 West: Council Bluffs
9
Merge slight left
0.9 mi
·
1 min
10
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I-35 north: Minneapolis
11
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I-35 north: Minneapolis
12
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
I-35 North: Minneapolis
13
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 35 North: Minneapolis
14
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
USDA Veterinary Labs
15
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
16
Arrive at your destination
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 29.6 miles from Monroe, IA, or about 29m 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 13 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.6 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
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 Monroe, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monroe, IA
This is one driving day of about 59.2 miles and 59m.
At 59.2 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 29.6 mi from Monroe, IA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.6 miles from Monroe, 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
$9.26 one way
$18.51 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.16 | $20.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.39 | $22.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.07 | $26.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.18 | $2.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.29 | $3.79 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Altoona, IA
30 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
59m 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 Monroe, IA to Ames, IA covers 59.2 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Washington Street, Highway 163, Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.6 miles from Monroe, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.26 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 Monroe, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 59m 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 Monroe, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Monroe, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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