Trip from Ames, IA to Britt, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 59m

Distance

91.7 mi

148 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

1h 51m ★

6 AM

2h 0m

8 AM

2h 17m

10 AM

2h 6m

12 PM

2h 4m

3 PM

2h 7m

5 PM

2h 16m

8 PM

1h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Britt, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

Trip Overview

Ames, IA to Britt, IA is 91.7 miles and takes about 1h 59m via I 35 Business and US 69, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest's familiar landscapes. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing established highways. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Plan for a simple, efficient journey focused on getting you from point A to point B.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.8 miles from Ames, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35 Business	29 mi	31m
US 69	25.9 mi	35m
Little Wall Lake Road	19.5 mi	26m
US 18	9.5 mi	13m
US 20	3.3 mi	3m
13th Street	2.7 mi	5m
220th Street	0.8 mi	1m
Main Avenue North	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 Business — 29 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Britt, IA.

Start on I 35 Business

2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

Turn left onto I 35 Business

29 mi · 31 min · I 35 Business

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec

Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

Merge onto US 20

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 20

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward US 69

Turn right onto US 69

19 mi · 26 min · Little Wall Lake Road

Turn right onto US 69; IA 3

0.8 mi · 1 min · 220th Street

Turn straight onto US 69; IA 3

12 mi · 17 min · US 69; IA 3

Continue on US 69

14 mi · 18 min · US 69

At end of road, turn left onto US 18; US 69

9.5 mi · 13 min · US 18; US 69

Turn left onto Main Avenue North

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Main Avenue North

Arrive at destination

Main Avenue North

Trip Plan

With a drive time under two hours, this trip offers excellent flexibility. You can depart Ames, IA any time of day and still arrive in Britt, IA well before evening. There are no designated stops in the data, so consider pacing yourself with brief breaks as needed, perhaps every hour or so. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14; it’s always wise to top up before departing or when you see a convenient station. A good tip for this route would be to check local traffic conditions on I 35 Business before you leave, as business routes can sometimes experience unexpected congestion.

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 45.8 miles from Ames, IA, or about 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29 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 20 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.8 miles or 56m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Britt, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ames, IA

This is one driving day of about 91.7 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Ames, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 35 Business for about 29 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jewell, IA

46 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

Story City, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.8 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.6 mi

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story City, Iowa

0.6 mi

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.8 mi

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15152920100

Visit website

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152927429

Visit website

Tosca

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15152925258

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

Provisions Lot F

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155981783

Visit website

Business Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15152949081

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

KaffeGeita

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.1

Story City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15157332029

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 81.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

35.2 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit toward US 69

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward US 69

55.1 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in | US 69; IA 3 / 220th Street

Turn right onto US 69; IA 3 / 220th Street

Navigation decision point

81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | US 18; US 69

At end of road, turn left onto US 18; US 69

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.34 one way

$28.67 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$15.74	$31.48
premium	$4.89	$17.65	$35.29
diesel	$5.61	$20.25	$40.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	27.5	$9.63	$4.40
Efficient EV	22.9	$8.02	$3.67
EV Truck/SUV	36.7	$12.84	$5.87

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ames, IA

Night in Ames on Saturday

Local time

11:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Britt, IA

Night in Britt on Saturday

Local time

11:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

1 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

1h 59m 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?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 29 miles on I 35 Business, offering a consistent pace. The route transitions between business routes and US highways, providing a varied but generally swift travel experience. Expect a driving personality that prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways. The road maintains a predictable character for most of the 1h 59m duration.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 29 mi on I 35 Business.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 Business and US 69. 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 Britt, IA is easy. At 1h 59m with 74% 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 35.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

About the Cities

Starting in Ames, IA

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 59m. Total distance: 91.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29 miles on I 35 Business. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Britt, IA before heading back.

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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Explore more options from Ames, IA or browse trips ending in Britt, IA.

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Trip from Ames, IA to Britt, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

Cafe Diem

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

The Cafe

Cafe Beaudelaire

Tosca

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

Provisions Lot F

Business Cafe

Cafe Diem

KaffeGeita

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Vinyl Cafe

Labyrinth Coffee

Bookends Cafe

Cafe Milo

Juniper & Olive Co.

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Discover Ames

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ames, IA

Britt, IA

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 59m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Ames, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Britt, IA

More from Ames, IA

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