Origin
Ames, IA
Night in Ames on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Oakland, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
140.7 mi
227 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Oakland, IA
Robert So
Trip Overview
This straightforward 140.7-mile drive from Ames, IA, to Oakland, IA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, typically taking about 2 hours and 43 minutes. The route is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of the journey on major interstates, primarily I-80, I-35, and US-59. Given its efficiency and the modest fuel cost of around $22, it's a practical option for a quick transition within the Midwest. You'll find plenty of opportunities to break up the journey, with the longest stretch without a major road change being 82.7 miles on I-80. This drive is designed for getting from point A to point B effectively.
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
70.4 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 82.7 mi | 1h 29m |
| I 35 | 40 mi | 44m |
| US 59 | 14 mi | 20m |
| 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| US 6 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Kearney Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Oakland Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 82.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Oakland, 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
83 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
7
Turn straight onto US 59
14 mi
·
20 min
·
US 59
8
Turn right onto US 6; US 59
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 6; US 59
9
Turn left onto North Kearney Street
369 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Kearney Street
10
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
111 ft
·
4 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
Oakland Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under 3 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $22, this drive from Ames to Oakland offers significant flexibility. You can comfortably depart anytime, but an early morning start will allow for a relaxed pace and ample time for a planned stop, as you'll only encounter one recommended stop. The longest stretch of 82.7 miles on I-80 means you'll want to ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition between I-80, I-35, and US-59 to make the most of your journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.4 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.7 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 31 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.4 miles or 1h 20m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakland, 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 140.7 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 82.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.4 miles from Ames, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.7 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 125.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Des Moines
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
5
125.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59: Avoca, Harlan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.00 one way
$43.99 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.15 | $48.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.08 | $54.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.06 | $62.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
| Efficient EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.31 | $5.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.70 | $9.00 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Oakland, IA
Night in Oakland on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Stuart, IA
70 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
17 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
2h 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 140.7-mile route, with 98% of your travel occurring on major roads like I-80, I-35, and US-59. This means you'll encounter relatively fast-paced travel for most of the 2-hour and 43-minute duration. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll navigate is 82.7 miles along I-80, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of US-59 might offer a slight variation in scenery or pace as you approach your destination in Oakland, IA.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.7 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 35. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 140.7 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
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 Oakland, IA, road signs point toward Council Bluffs, Davenport and Harlan.
Council Bluffs
28.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35
Davenport
28.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35
Harlan
125.4 mi in
|
~2h 19m
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 2h 43m. Total distance: 140.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.7 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Oakland, 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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