Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
54.7 mi
88 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Conrad, IA
cottonbro studio
Ames to Conrad is 54.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 11 minutes via US 30, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip within the Midwest, specifically across Iowa. The drive primarily utilizes US 30, offering a direct connection between these two locations. Given its short duration and familiar terrain, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a leisurely half-day excursion without needing overnight planning. It’s the kind of drive where you can easily get there and back within the same day.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 30 | 28 mi | 32m |
| Sanford Avenue | 7 mi | 9m |
| Marsh Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| 160th Street | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| IA 330 | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 35 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 330th Street | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Conrad, IA.
Start on I 35 Business
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Merge onto US 30
Take the exit
Turn left onto IA 330
Turn left onto IA 330
Continue on IA 330
Continue on IA 330
Turn left onto IA 14
Turn right onto CR D67
Continue on CR D67
Turn left onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.4 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 54.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Nevada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward IA 330: Albion, Melbourne
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto CR D67 / 330th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$8.55 one way
$17.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.39 | $18.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.53 | $21.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.08 | $24.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.63 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.9 | 0 | $7.66 | $3.50 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Ames on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Conrad on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route features a mixed drive, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on US 30, which forms the backbone of this trip, allowing for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28 miles on US 30, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The drive transitions from Sanford Avenue and Marsh Avenue in the Ames area onto the more open expanse of US 30, offering a consistent, practical road experience for most of the mileage.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 11m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 32.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ames, IA to Conrad, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Melbourne along the way.
Melbourne
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 54.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Straightforward navigation.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Ames, IA or browse trips ending in Conrad, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
