Origin
Woodward, IA
Night in Woodward on Wednesday
Local time
9:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Woodward, IA to Ames, IA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
43m
Distance
29.7 mi
48 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Woodward, IA
Chris Flaten
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection in the heart of the Midwest, the 29.7-mile journey from Woodward to Ames is an ideal choice. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 43 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day outing. Budgeting around $5 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since the route stays within Iowa, you won't need to worry about changing time zones or crossing state lines. It is a straightforward drive that works best as a short excursion rather than an overnight excursion, giving you plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
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
14.8 miles from Woodward, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged as you navigate through the Iowa landscape. You will traverse several main roads, including North Kennedy Avenue, 230th Street, and IA 210. While roughly 18 miles of the journey involve highway travel, the rest of the trip relies on local roads that demand your attention. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 10.8 miles spent on North Kennedy Avenue. Overall, the experience is less about high-speed cruising and more about navigating the specific twists and turns of these local routes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 1st 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 Woodward, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 43m 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 Woodward, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 1st Street | — | — |
| North Kennedy Avenue | — | — |
| US 30 East | — | — |
| 220th Street | — | — |
| 230th Street | — | — |
| Iowa State University | — | — |
| University Boulevard | — | — |
| South 4th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East 1st Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodward, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right
5.2 mi
·
7 min
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East 1st Street
417 ft
·
13 sec
·
East 1st Street
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 1st Street
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
East 1st Street
5
Turn left onto North Kennedy Avenue
11 mi
·
15 min
·
North Kennedy Avenue
6
Take the ramp right toward US 30 East: Ames
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 30 East: Ames
7
Merge slight left onto 220th Street
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
220th Street
8
Continue on 230th Street
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
230th Street
9
Take the exit slight right toward Iowa State University
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Iowa State University
10
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
University Boulevard
11
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 4th Street
12
Turn left onto South Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Grand Avenue
13
Continue on Grand Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Avenue
14
Turn right onto 13th Street
118 ft
·
3 sec
·
13th Street
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 43-minute drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops, as the distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between North Kennedy Avenue and 230th Street to ensure you stay on the correct path. Because the fuel cost is minimal at approximately $5, you can focus your budget on your destination rather than the tank. Enjoy the convenience of a route that prioritizes efficiency, allowing you to reach Ames quickly and without the fatigue of a long-haul interstate haul.
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 14.8 miles from Woodward, IA, or about 21m 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 29.7 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.8 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
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 Woodward, IA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Woodward, IA
This is one driving day of about 29.7 miles and 43m.
At 29.7 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 14.8 mi from Woodward, IA · 21m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.8 miles from Woodward, 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
$4.64 one way
$9.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.10 | $10.20 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.72 | $11.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.56 | $13.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
| Efficient EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.60 | $1.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
9:42 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
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
43m 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 Woodward, IA to Ames, IA covers 29.7 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 1st Street, North Kennedy Avenue, US 30 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.8 miles from Woodward, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.64 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 Woodward, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 43m 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 Woodward, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Woodward, IA to Ames, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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