Origin
Ames, IA
Night in Ames on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ames, IA to Webster City, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
55m
Distance
45.9 mi
74 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 51m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 59m
12 PM
0h 58m
3 PM
0h 59m
5 PM
1h 4m
8 PM
0h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Webster City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Iowa Midwest, the 45.9-mile journey from Ames to Webster City is an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. You can expect to spend about 55 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient connection between these two communities. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, this route is as economical as it is straightforward. Because the trip is short and manageable, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. Whether you are heading north for business or just exploring the region, this drive provides a practical, no-frills link across the state.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 Business | 29 mi | 31m |
| US 20 | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| 13th Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Superior Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Street | <0.1 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 Webster City, IA.
1
Start on I 35 Business
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
13th Street
2
Turn left onto I 35 Business
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
4
Merge onto US 20
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 20
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward IA 17 South
6
Turn right onto Superior Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Superior Street
7
Turn left onto CR D20
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
2nd Street
8
Arrive at destination
CR D20
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.9 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 45.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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
4
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
3
31.9 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 20
Merge onto US 20
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
44.2 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward IA 17 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward IA 17 South
4
45.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
CR D20 / 2nd Street
Turn left onto CR D20 / 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.18 one way
$14.35 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.88 | $15.76 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.83 | $17.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.13 | $20.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.82 | $2.20 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Webster City, IA
Night in Webster City on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
55m 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 highway-focused drive is built for speed and efficiency, with 90% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will primarily utilize I-35 Business, US 20, and 13th Street to navigate your way toward your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 29 miles on I-35 Business, allowing for a steady, consistent pace once you leave the initial city streets. You won't find many technical curves or winding backroads here, as the route prioritizes directness over scenic detours. Expect a straightforward, predictable experience that keeps you moving toward Webster City without unnecessary complications.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
8 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 20. 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 Webster City, IA is easy. At 55m with 90% 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 31.9 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,218 ft
944 ft
Total Climb
333 ft
Total Descent
238 ft
Highest Point
1,218 ft
~36.1 mi in
Elevation Range
274 ft
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 55m. Total distance: 45.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
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 31.9 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Webster City, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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