Origin
Woodbine, IA
Night in Woodbine on Friday
Local time
10:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodbine, 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
2h 52m
Distance
122.1 mi
197 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 41m
★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 1m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodbine, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Woodbine, IA to Ames, IA is 122.1 miles and takes about 2h 52m via US 30, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, traversing the heart of the Midwest. Expect a local drive with plenty of turns, rather than a straight shot on a major interstate. With only one stop recommended and a drive under three hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from Woodbine, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 122.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route offers a "Turn-heavy local drive" experience, with only 24% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant amount of local road driving, which means more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 44.4 miles along 220th Street, giving you a decent period of consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for the road to feel more intimate and less like a high-speed transit corridor.
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.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 44.4 miles.
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 trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 6th Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Woodbine, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 52m with 24% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (6th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Bus Brown Drive): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
|
6th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lincoln Way
Turn right onto Lincoln Way
Navigation decision point
3
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Bus Brown Drive
Turn right onto Bus Brown Drive
Navigation decision point
4
118.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward Iowa State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Iowa State University
4
122.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
I 35 Business / 13th Street
Turn right onto I 35 Business / 13th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 44.4 mi | 58m |
| US 30 | 29.9 mi | 44m |
| South 6th Street | 16.5 mi | 23m |
| County Road N33 | 10.3 mi | 13m |
| County Road F50 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| 230th Street | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| University Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 44.4 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbine, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on this road
72 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 6th Street
137 ft
·
8 sec
·
6th Street
3
Turn right onto Lincoln Way
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Lincoln Way
4
Turn right onto Bus Brown Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Bus Brown Drive
5
Turn left onto US 30
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
County Road F50
6
Continue on US 30
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 3rd Street
7
Continue on US 30
17 mi
·
23 min
·
South 6th Street
8
Turn straight onto US 30; US 59; IA 141
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
260th Street
9
Turn slight right onto US 30
30 mi
·
44 min
·
US 30
Toward US 30 East: Carroll
10
Continue on US 30
10 mi
·
13 min
·
County Road N33
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 30
44 mi
·
58 min
·
220th Street
12
Continue on US 30
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
230th Street
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Iowa State University
14
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
University Boulevard
15
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 4th Street
16
Turn left onto South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Grand Avenue
17
Continue on I 35 Business; US 69
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Avenue
18
Turn right onto I 35 Business
117 ft
·
3 sec
·
13th Street
19
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just under three hours, this drive is best suited for a single day. You'll have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, but leaving in the morning will allow for a relaxed pace and buffer time in Ames. With only one stop suggested and a fuel cost around $19, planning your fuel fill-up before you leave Woodbine is a practical step. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the "turn-heavy" nature of the route means you'll be making several directional changes throughout the 122.1 miles.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.1 miles from Woodbine, IA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 27 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 21m
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 Woodbine, 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 Woodbine, IA
This is one driving day of about 122.1 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Woodbine, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on 220th Street for about 44.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.1 mi from Woodbine, IA · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.1 miles from Woodbine, 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.
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
$19.09 one way
$38.18 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.96 | $41.92 |
| premium | $4.89 | $23.50 | $46.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.82 | $5.86 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.68 | $4.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
Gas CO2
43 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
Night in Ames on Friday
Local time
10:21 PM
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
20 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
2h 52m 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 Woodbine, IA to Ames, IA covers 122.1 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, US 30, South 6th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.1 miles from Woodbine, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.09 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Woodbine, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 52m with 24% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (6th Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (Lincoln Way): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Bus Brown Drive): Navigation decision point.
The route from Woodbine, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Ames, IA
More from Woodbine, IA
More trips to Ames, IA
Explore more options from Woodbine, IA or browse trips ending in Ames, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.