Traveling from Ames to Springville is a straightforward 121.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 26 minutes to complete. Because this trip is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra time to explore. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel covers the primary costs for this Midwest transit. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via US 30, IA 100, and Collins Road Northeast. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable connection between these two Iowa locations, perfect for those who prioritize a direct path over a scenic detour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.6 miles from Ames, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 30
92.6 mi
1h 47m
IA 100
9.4 mi
11m
Collins Road Northeast
5.9 mi
7m
Marion Airport Road
5.7 mi
6m
13th Street
2.4 mi
5m
I 35
1.6 mi
1m
US 151
1.1 mi
1m
Broadway Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 30
— 92.6 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, IA and Springville, 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
1.6 mi·1 min·I 35
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 30 East: Nevada
5
Merge onto US 30
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 30
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
7
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi·11 min·IA 100
8
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi·7 min·Collins Road Northeast
9
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi·1 min·US 151; IA 13
10
Turn right onto US 151
5.7 mi·6 min·Marion Airport Road
11
Turn left onto CR X20
509 ft·10 sec·Springville Road
12
Continue on CR X20
0.2 mi·24 sec·6th Street
13
Turn right onto CR X20
0.2 mi·25 sec·1st Avenue
14
Turn left onto CR X20
0.4 mi·39 sec·Broadway Street
15
Turn right onto John Street
202 ft·10 sec·John Street
16
Turn right onto Water Street
56 ft·2 sec·Water Street
17
Arrive at destination
Water Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best without needing a complex itinerary. Given that there are no mandatory stops scheduled for the 121.3-mile path, plan to fuel up before you leave Ames to ensure you have enough to cover the $18 estimated cost. Keep an eye on your speed as you transition off the long US 30 stretch and into the more localized road segments of IA 100. Because the longest stretch is nearly 93 miles, consider a quick break once you hit the 90-mile mark to stretch your legs before navigating the final approach into Springville. Staying mindful of these road transitions will help you maintain a smooth pace throughout the entire 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.6 miles from Ames, IA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.6 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.6 miles or 1h 13m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springville, 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 121.3 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Ames, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 30 for about 92.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 120.7 — 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
4
4.4 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward US 30 East: Nevada
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 30 East: Nevada
5
97.2 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
4
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
120.7 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|CR X20 / 1st Avenue
Turn right onto CR X20 / 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.96 one way
$37.93 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$20.82
$41.64
premium
$4.89
$23.34
$46.69
diesel
$5.61
$26.78
$53.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.4
0
$12.74
$5.82
Efficient EV
30.3
0
$10.61
$4.85
EV Truck/SUV
48.5
0
$16.98
$7.76
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Springville, IA
Night
in Springville on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
21 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 26m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 86% of your drive consists of major thoroughfares. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 30, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.6 miles. While the route begins with open highway travel, the character shifts slightly as you transition onto IA 100 and Collins Road Northeast toward your destination. This is not a technical road trip, but rather a consistent, high-speed drive that keeps you moving toward Springville without unnecessary complexity. The overall feel is one of efficiency, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal stress.
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: 92.6 mi on US 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 30 and IA 100. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 26m drive. You will face about 12 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 97.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,025 ft822 ft
Total Climb
159 ft
Total Descent
268 ft
Highest Point
1,025 ft
~17.3 mi in
Elevation Range
203 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ames, IA to Springville, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
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.
The longest stretch is about 92.6 miles on US 30. 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 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 97.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Springville, IA before heading back.
