Origin
Springville, IA
Afternoon in Springville on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springville, IA to Ames, IA
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
120.9 mi
195 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
Springville, IA
Tom Fisk
Ames, IA
Anton Belitskiy
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Springville to Ames, expect a straightforward journey covering 120.9 miles across the Iowa landscape. With a total driving time of approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting about $18 for fuel will cover your transit comfortably. You will navigate via a combination of the Lincoln Highway, 73rd Street, and IA 100 to reach your destination. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them feels like a natural progression through the regional terrain.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.5 miles from Springville, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Only 15% of this 120.9-mile journey is spent on major highways, so prepare for varied road conditions as you transition between local streets and highway segments. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 65.7 miles on the Lincoln Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the trip. The remaining sections require frequent adjustments, making this a more engaging experience for drivers who prefer active navigation over long, straight stretches of asphalt.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 65.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near John Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 120.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (John Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (CR X20 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR X20 / 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
|
John Street
Turn left onto John Street
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR X20 / Broadway Street
Turn left onto CR X20 / Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR X20 / 1st Avenue
Turn right onto CR X20 / 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR X20 / 6th Street
Turn left onto CR X20 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
5
23 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Springville, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.
Marshalltown
23 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 65.7 mi | 1h 16m |
| 73rd Street | 24.4 mi | 28m |
| IA 100 | 15.2 mi | 18m |
| Dubuque Road | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| East 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| 16th Avenue Southwest | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| I 35 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| US 151 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 65.7 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springville, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on Water Street
56 ft
·
7 sec
·
Water Street
2
Turn left onto John Street
202 ft
·
14 sec
·
John Street
3
Turn left onto CR X20
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Broadway Street
4
Turn right onto CR X20
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
1st Avenue
5
Turn left onto CR X20
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
6th Street
6
Continue on CR X20
416 ft
·
9 sec
·
Springville Road
7
Turn right onto US 151
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Dubuque Road
8
Continue on US 151
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Marion Airport Road
9
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
10
Turn right onto IA 100
15 mi
·
18 min
·
IA 100
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
12
Merge onto US 30; US 218
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
16th Avenue Southwest
13
Continue on US 30; US 218
24 mi
·
28 min
·
73rd Street
14
Continue on US 30
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Lincoln Highway
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
16
Merge onto I 35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
18
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East 13th Street
19
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip of under 2.5 hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without needing a complex itinerary. Given that you have no mandatory stops scheduled, feel free to pace the drive according to your own preference for breaks. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should stay alert for navigation changes, particularly when moving off the 65.7-mile stretch of the Lincoln Highway. Because the total fuel cost is estimated at $18, topping off your tank before leaving Springville will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Ames without extra mid-trip errands.
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 60.5 miles from Springville, IA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.7 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.5 miles or 1h 13m 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 57m
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 Springville, 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 Springville, IA
This is one driving day of about 120.9 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Springville, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 65.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.5 mi from Springville, IA · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.5 miles from Springville, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Lincoln Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.7 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
$18.36 one way
$36.73 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $20.24 | $40.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.82 | $45.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.86 | $53.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.69 | $5.80 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.58 | $4.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.93 | $7.74 |
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
Afternoon in Ames on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
60 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
7 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
2h 26m 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 Springville, IA to Ames, IA covers 120.9 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, 73rd Street, IA 100. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.5 miles from Springville, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.36 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 120.9 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (John Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (CR X20 / Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR X20 / 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Springville, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.
Was this route 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 Springville, IA or browse trips ending in Ames, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
Explore maps for Springville, IA or Ames, IA on MapSof.net.