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Trip from Ames, IA to Carter Lake, IA

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

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

171.4 mi

276 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m

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

city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Carter Lake, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 171.4-mile journey from Ames to Carter Lake, Iowa, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 15 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate primarily via I-35 South, I-80 West, and I-29 North, all of which are major interstates. With a fuel cost estimated around $26, it's an economical option for a weekend getaway or a quick visit. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar landscape throughout. Given its manageable length and duration, this drive is best suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.

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

85.7 miles from Ames, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 119.2 mi 2h 8m
I 35 40 mi 44m
I 80 Local 2.9 mi 3m
13th Street 2.4 mi 5m
I 29 2 mi 2m
US 6 1.7 mi 2m
North 11th Street 1.1 mi 2m
East Locust Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 119.2 mi, about 2h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on I 35 Business

2.4 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
3

Merge onto I 35

26 mi · 28 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

14 mi · 16 min · I 35
Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

96 mi · 1 hr 42 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80

24 mi · 25 min · I 80
Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 80 Local; US 6
Exit 4B Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 29; US 6

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 29; US 6
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto US 6

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 6
Toward I 480 West, US 6 West
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 3 Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
11

Turn right onto North 14th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 14th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12

Turn right onto Izard Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Izard Street
13

Continue on North 11th Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · North 11th Street
14

Turn right onto East Locust Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Locust Street
15

Turn left onto North 9th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North 9th Street
16

Arrive at destination

North 9th Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 15-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. Since it's a single-day trip of 171.4 miles, you have flexibility with your departure time and stops. Plan for one main stop, potentially to refuel or grab a bite, keeping the $26 fuel cost in mind. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests you'll be making frequent adjustments. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to exit signs for I-80 West and I-29 North to ensure you're on the correct interstate sequence without unnecessary backtracking.

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 85.7 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.2 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 38 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carter Lake, 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 171.4 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 I 80 for about 119.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Atlantic, IA

86 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

Grimes, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Atlantic, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.7 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.2 miles.

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

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Stuart, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.5

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Flame The Taqueria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Johnston, Iowa

1.8 mi

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Urbandale, Iowa

1.4 mi

Los Altos Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.5

Stuart, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155238000

Visit website

Flame The Taqueria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 36.7

Johnston, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15157238934

Visit website

Urbandale Clubhouse And Restaurant

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 36.7

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+15152765496

Visit website

Mercy Thai Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 171.4

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+17128284200

Visit website

Tullpa Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 36.7

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152142327

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

Tish's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 171.4

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+17123235456

Visit website

Monarch Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $10 mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 7–10 am

+14029910660

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

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

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+14026611804

Visit website

Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+14025996565

Visit website

The Old Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+14023464445

Visit website

Museum Of Shadows

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 171.4

Omaha, Nebraska

Hours: 2–10 pm

+14028857557

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

Lake Manawa State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 159.2

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Hours: 4 am–10:30 pm

+17123660220

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 28.4 and 168.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
28.4 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council B...
7
42.7 mi into trip | ~50m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha
6
138.3 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 80

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebrask...
9
161.9 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in | I 80 Local; US 6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Local; US 6 toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Bluffs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 4B Toward I 29 North, I 80 West Local: Council Blu...
6
168.5 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Take the exit toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 3 Toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creigh...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.80 one way

$53.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.42 $58.84
premium $4.89 $32.98 $65.97
diesel $5.61 $37.84 $75.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.4 0 $18.00 $8.23
Efficient EV 42.9 0 $15.00 $6.86
EV Truck/SUV 68.6 0 $24.00 $10.97

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ames, IA

Night in Ames on Saturday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carter Lake, IA

Night in Carter Lake on Saturday

Local time

9:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°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

6 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

3h 15m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 171.4-mile route, despite the use of interstates. While you'll spend time on I-35 South, I-80 West, and I-29 North, the emphasis on local driving suggests frequent transitions and potentially more complex navigation than a pure highway cruise. The highway share is 0%, indicating that the majority of your travel will be on non-interstate roads, requiring a consistent focus. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, further reinforcing the idea of a route punctuated by turns and varied road types.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 119.2 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.4 miles in near I 35.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 171.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Ames, IA and Carter Lake, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Omaha Nebraska.

Council Bluffs

28.4 mi in | ~34m | via I 35

Davenport

28.4 mi in | ~34m | via I 35

Omaha Nebraska

138.3 mi in | ~2h 33m | via I 80

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 3h 15m. Total distance: 171.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 119.2 miles on I 80. 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.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Carter Lake, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Carter Lake, 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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