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Trip from Cherokee, IA to Ames, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 3m

Distance

151.2 mi

243 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 52m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city in Iowa, United States

Cherokee, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Cherokee, IA to Ames, IA covers 151.2 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 220th Street, I 35, 20th Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.4 miles on 220th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.44 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

75.6 miles from Cherokee, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
220th Street 92.4 mi 1h 46m
I 35 28.1 mi 30m
20th Avenue 9.2 mi 12m
Armstrong Avenue 6 mi 8m
530th Street 3.7 mi 5m
East 13th Street 2.4 mi 4m
State Highway 7 2.1 mi 2m
V Avenue 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: 220th Street — 92.4 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

104 ft · 12 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto US 59

156 ft · 9 sec · South 2nd Street
3

Turn right onto East Main Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
4

Continue on State Highway 977

0.4 mi · 36 sec · State Highway 977
5

Continue on 530th Street

3.7 mi · 5 min · 530th Street
6

Turn right onto IA 7

2.0 mi · 2 min · V Avenue
7

Continue on IA 7

1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
8

Continue on IA 7

2.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 7
9

Continue on IA 7

1.1 mi · 1 min · Highway 7
10

Turn right onto 20th Avenue

9.2 mi · 12 min · 20th Avenue
11

Continue on CR M27

6.0 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
12

At end of road, turn left onto US 20

92 mi · 1 hr 46 min · 220th Street
13

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
14

Merge onto I 35

28 mi · 30 min · I 35
15

Take the exit onto I 35 Business

0.4 mi · 52 sec · I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
16

Turn right onto I 35 Business

2.4 mi · 4 min · East 13th Street
17

Arrive at destination

I 35 Business

Trip Plan

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 75.6 miles from Cherokee, IA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.4 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 33 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.6 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, IA

This is one driving day of about 151.2 miles and 3h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Cherokee, 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 220th Street for about 92.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Somers, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Somers, IA

76 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

Storm Lake, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Somers, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from Cherokee, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Tosca

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ames, Iowa

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 5min to go 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15152925258

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ames, Iowa

1.8 mi

Provisions Lot F

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

2.5 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 5min to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.8 mi

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

0.7 mi

Tosca

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15152925258

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Provisions Lot F

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155981783

Visit website

The Mucky Duck Pub

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152328888

Visit website

Casey's

3.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Roland, Iowa

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15152175571

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15152920100

Visit website

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152927429

Visit website

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Cherokee, Iowa

+31880109500

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

1.5 mi from route

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 148.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 59 / South 2nd Street

Turn left onto US 59 / South 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Main Street

Turn right onto East Main Street

Navigation decision point

3
12 mi into trip | ~18m in | 20th Avenue

Turn right onto 20th Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
119.5 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
4
148.3 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | I 35 Business

Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.44 one way

$46.88 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $25.70 $51.41
premium $4.93 $29.34 $58.67
diesel $5.60 $33.33 $66.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.4 0 $15.88 $7.26
Efficient EV 37.8 0 $13.23 $6.05
EV Truck/SUV 60.5 0 $21.17 $9.68

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% 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 Sep 4, 2026

Origin

Cherokee, IA

Afternoon in Cherokee on Friday

Local time

3:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Afternoon in Ames on Friday

Local time

3:03 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

86°F

Somers, IA

76 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

3 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 3m 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?

151.2 mi in 3h 3m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.4 mi on 220th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 59 / South 2nd Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Cherokee, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 3h 3m with 21% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 59 / South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (20th Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,472 ft 944 ft

Total Climb

525 ft

Total Descent

777 ft

Highest Point

1,472 ft

~31.4 mi in

Elevation Range

528 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Cherokee, IA

Full guide →

Founded 1873

Top landmarks

  • • Cherokee Commercial Historic District — historic district in Cherokee, Iowa

Arriving in Ames, IA

Full guide →

Founded 1864

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Catt Hall — building on Iowa State University's campus, U.S.
  • • Food Sciences Building — historic building on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, United S...
  • • Ames City Hall — United States historic place

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 3m. Total distance: 151.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (21%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 92.4 miles on 220th Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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: near the start (US 59 / South 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 12 miles (20th Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Ames, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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