Origin
Storm Lake, IA
Morning in Storm Lake on Thursday
Local time
11:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
127.1 mi
205 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 8m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Storm Lake, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA covers 127.1 miles and takes about 2h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
This route mixes long travel segments with more detailed approach driving, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.87 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 127.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 2m drive with frequent turns across 127.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
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.
The drive from Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 2m 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 Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
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.
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.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Storm Lake, 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 Storm Lake, IA
This is one driving day of about 127.1 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Storm Lake, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.87 one way
$39.74 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.82 | $43.63 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.46 | $48.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.06 | $56.12 |
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.35 | $6.10 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.79 | $8.13 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Morning in Ames on Thursday
Local time
11:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
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
2h 2m 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 Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA covers 127.1 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.87 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 Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 2m 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 Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Storm Lake, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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