Origin
Ames, IA
Late night in Ames on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Alton, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
192.9 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Alton, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 192.9-mile drive from Ames to Alton, Iowa, is a straightforward, single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 86% of the journey on main roads like US 20 and State Highway 140. You can expect a fuel cost around $30 for this relatively short distance. Given its duration, it's perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. This journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travel.
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
96.4 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 121.1 mi | 2h 21m |
| I 35 Business | 29 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 140 | 15.1 mi | 20m |
| County Road L14 | 7 mi | 9m |
| Lee Avenue | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Kiwi Avenue | 5 mi | 6m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| 320th Street | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 121.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Alton, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
4
Merge onto US 20
121 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
US 20
5
Turn right onto L21
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Lee Avenue
6
Continue on Shamrock Avenue
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Shamrock Avenue
7
Turn left onto C66
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
320th Street
8
Turn right onto IA 140
15 mi
·
20 min
·
State Highway 140
9
Continue on L14
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road L14
10
Continue on L14
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Kiwi Avenue
11
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
460th Street
12
Continue on IA 10
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
State Highway 10
13
Turn left onto East Division Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Division Street
14
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
3rd Avenue
15
Turn left onto West 10th Street
156 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 10th Street
16
Turn right
112 ft
·
8 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a duration of under four hours, this 192.9-mile trip from Ames to Alton is easily manageable in a single day, offering plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid early rush hour in Ames and allow for a relaxed arrival. You'll only encounter one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, keeping the estimated $30 fuel cost in mind. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is fueled before departing Ames, as the longest stretch without a major town is over 121 miles on US 20.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 96.4 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.1 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 42 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.4 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ames, 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 Ames, IA
This is one driving day of about 192.9 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Ames, 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 US 20 for about 121.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 189.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 35 Business
Turn left onto I 35 Business toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
4
31.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
4
153 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
L21 / Lee Avenue
Turn right onto L21 / Lee Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
160.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
C66 / 320th Street
Turn left onto C66 / 320th Street
Navigation decision point
5
189.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
IA 10 / 460th Street
At end of road, turn left onto IA 10 / 460th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.32 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.11 | $66.22 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.12 | $74.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.59 | $85.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.25 | $9.26 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.01 | $12.35 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Alton, IA
Late night in Alton on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Somers, IA
96 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
1 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
3h 55m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 192.9-mile route, with 86% of your travel on main roads. US 20 will carry you for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 121.1 miles, providing a consistent pace. While the profile is primarily highway, you'll also navigate sections of I 35 Business and State Highway 140. This blend means you'll experience mostly efficient travel, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads as you progress towards Alton.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.1 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35 Business. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 35 Business.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ames, IA to Alton, IA is easy. At 3h 55m with 86% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 153 miles (L21 / Lee Avenue): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Ames, IA
Full guide →Founded 1864
Ames is a pleasant college town in Central Iowa, sitting astride the Skunk River roughly 30 miles north of Des Moines. Life in Ames follows the ebb and flow of the academic year at Iowa State University, which is the city's primary draw.
Top landmarks
- • Catt Hall — building on Iowa State University's campus, U.S.
- • Food Sciences Building — historic building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, United S...
- • Ames City Hall — United States historic place
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 192.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.1 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (I 35 Business): Navigation decision point; at 31.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 153 miles (L21 / Lee Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Alton, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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