Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Hiawatha, IA to Ames, 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 8m

Distance

106.3 mi

171 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Linn County, Iowa, United States

Hiawatha, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 106.3-mile drive from Hiawatha, IA to Ames, IA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via Lincoln Highway, 73rd Street, and IA 100, with only a 7% share of highway driving, suggesting a more local road experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $17, making it an economical option. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent Midwestern feel throughout. It's a straightforward drive, well-suited for a relaxed day trip without the need for an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

53.2 miles from Hiawatha, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lincoln Highway 65.7 mi 1h 16m
73rd Street 24.4 mi 28m
IA 100 6.6 mi 7m
East 13th Street 2.7 mi 5m
16th Avenue Southwest 2.4 mi 2m
I 35 1.2 mi 1m
Blairs Ferry Road Northeast 0.9 mi 2m
Edgewood Road Northeast 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 65.7 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Heefner Street

205 ft · 14 sec · Heefner Street
2

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

393 ft · 14 sec · 10th Avenue
3

Turn right onto Blairs Ferry Road Northeast

0.9 mi · 2 min · Blairs Ferry Road Northeast
4

Turn left onto Edgewood Road Northeast

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Edgewood Road Northeast
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward IA 100 west Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto IA 100

6.6 mi · 7 min · IA 100
7

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
8

Merge onto US 30; US 218

2.4 mi · 2 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
9

Continue on US 30; US 218

24 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
10

Continue on US 30

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
12

Merge onto I 35

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 35
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
14

Turn left onto East 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
15

Arrive at destination

I 35 Business

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 8 minutes, this 106.3-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Consider an early morning start to maximize your day in Ames, or a mid-morning departure to enjoy a more leisurely pace. With no designated stops, you can easily pull over at any point that catches your eye or when you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel as you navigate the local roads; the estimated $17 cost is a good baseline, but it’s always wise to top up before heading out. A practical tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for Lincoln Highway, as it's your longest continuous stretch and a key artery for much of this drive.

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 53.2 miles from Hiawatha, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.7 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 23 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53.2 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m

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 Hiawatha, 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 Hiawatha, IA

This is one driving day of about 106.3 miles and 2h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Hiawatha, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 65.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Tama County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tama, IA

53 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.

Popular next leg

Tama, IA to Ames, IA

57.3 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Vinton, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tama, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.2 miles from Hiawatha, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Lincoln Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.7 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Sunrise Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Le Grand, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 60.8

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+16414792280

O J's Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshalltown, Iowa

0.5 mi

Oscar's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hiawatha, Iowa

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

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

Sunrise Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 60.8

Le Grand, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+16414792280

O J's Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417544707

Oscar's Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hiawatha, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+13193788885

Visit website

La Carreta Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16417529427

Visit website

Yummy Banh Mi and Boba Tea, Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hiawatha, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13192004254

Visit website

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

Scott's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13195504517

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+13192005582

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15159563556

Visit website

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Vinyl Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Holy grounds coffee llc

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bookends Cafe

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

Main Street Bakery and Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30.4

Keystone, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm

+13194422253

Grounded

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+16416548451

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 106.3

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Sub City

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–7 pm

+16417521375

Bistro at Blooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Marion, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+13194499996

Visit website

The TapHaus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.2

Atkins, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13194462739

The Pump

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 53.2

Tama, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm

+16414817332

The Spot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+16417526014

Visit website

Taylor's

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 68.4

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | 10th Avenue

Turn left onto 10th Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Edgewood Road Northeast

Turn left onto Edgewood Road Northeast

Navigation decision point

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward IA 100 west

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward IA 100 west
5
8.4 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshall...
4
101.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.62 one way

$33.24 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.25 $36.49
premium $4.89 $20.46 $40.91
diesel $5.61 $23.47 $46.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.9 0 $11.16 $5.10
Efficient EV 26.6 0 $9.30 $4.25
EV Truck/SUV 42.5 0 $14.88 $6.80

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Hiawatha, IA

Late night in Hiawatha on Sunday

Local time

2:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Late night in Ames on Sunday

Local time

2:47 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°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

2 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 8m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 106.3-mile journey. With only a 7% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on local roads, experiencing frequent turns and a more intimate connection with the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.7 miles on Lincoln Highway, offering a period of steady progress before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This profile suggests a drive that requires your attention to navigation but rewards you with a closer look at the Iowa countryside rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.

Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.7 mi on Lincoln Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 10th Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 8m 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: near the start (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (Edgewood Road Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

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 Hiawatha, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marshalltown along the way.

Marshalltown

8.4 mi in | ~11m

About the Cities

Arriving 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 8m. Total distance: 106.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (7%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 65.7 miles on Lincoln Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 (10th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (Edgewood Road Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ames, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Ames, IA

Sioux Center, IA 207.2 mi · 4h 16m Sidney, IA 203.7 mi · 3h 56m Bellevue, IA 195.1 mi · 3h 57m Alton, IA 192.9 mi · 3h 55m

More from Hiawatha, IA

Mason City, IA 132.9 mi · 2h 37m Waterloo, IA 50.7 mi · 58m

More trips to Ames, IA

Hamburg, IA 211.1 mi Fort Madison, IA 205.1 mi Osceola County, IA 199.6 mi Le Mars, IA 187 mi Sergeant Bluff, IA 179.8 mi Spirit Lake, IA 172.7 mi
Escape planner: Hiawatha, IA Scenic drives in IA

Explore more options from Hiawatha, IA or browse trips ending in Ames, IA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.