Trip from Independence, 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 21m

Distance

121.2 mi

195 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 12m ★

6 AM

2h 22m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 29m

12 PM

2h 27m

3 PM

2h 30m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Independence, IA

Roger Ce

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 121.2-mile drive from Independence, IA, to Ames, IA, is easily manageable in about 2 hours and 21 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on the Avenue of the Saints, I-35, and US-20, with 41% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, so it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. Given the relatively short distance and duration, you won't need to split this into an overnight stay, offering flexibility for your schedule. This route offers a straightforward journey through Iowa's heartland.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

60.6 miles from Independence, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Avenue of the Saints	66.5 mi	1h 16m
I 35	28.6 mi	30m
US 20	21.2 mi	24m
East 13th Street	2.4 mi	4m
3rd Avenue Southeast	1.3 mi	2m
I 35 Business	0.4 mi	<1m
1st Street East	0.1 mi	<1m
5th Avenue Southeast	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Avenue of the Saints — 66.5 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 5th Avenue Southeast

42 ft · 9 sec · 5th Avenue Southeast

Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22

0.1 mi · 18 sec · 1st Street East

Turn left onto IA 150

1.3 mi · 2 min · 3rd Avenue Southeast

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Merge onto US 20

21 mi · 24 min · US 20

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 35 South: Des Moines Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 35

29 mi · 30 min · I 35

Take the exit onto I 35 Business

0.4 mi · 52 sec · I 35 Business

Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs

Turn right onto I 35 Business

2.4 mi · 4 min · East 13th Street

Arrive at destination

I 35 Business

Trip Plan

For this 121.2-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ames and explore. The drive is only 2 hours and 21 minutes, so you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops; perhaps one quick break would suffice. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 66.5-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, as services might be less frequent. The total fuel cost is estimated at $19, so you can budget accordingly. Given the short duration, consider this a straightforward journey with minimal logistical planning required.

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 Independence, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.6 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m

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 Independence, 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 Independence, IA

This is one driving day of about 121.2 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Independence, IA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on Avenue of the Saints for about 66.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ackley, IA

61 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

Waterloo, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ackley, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.6 miles from Independence, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 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

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.2

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.6 mi

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ames, Iowa

1.8 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 121.2

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

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 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15159164389

Visit website

The Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15152920100

Visit website

Cafe Beaudelaire

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152927429

Visit website

Tosca

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15152925258

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Moderately mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15152339004

Visit website

Provisions Lot F

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15155981783

Visit website

Business Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15152949081

Visit website

Cafe Diem

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 121.2

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 121.2

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 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 121.2

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 121.2

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 26

Waterloo, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 121.2

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 121.2

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 121.2

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 121.2

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 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 118.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East

Turn left onto IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East

Navigation decision point

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast

Turn left onto IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast

Navigation decision point

23 mi into trip | ~27m in | US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

89.5 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward I 35 South: Des Moines

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 35 South: Des Moines

118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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

$18.95 one way

$37.90 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$20.80	$41.61
premium	$4.89	$23.32	$46.65
diesel	$5.61	$26.76	$53.52

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	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36.4	$12.73	$5.82
Efficient EV	30.3	$10.61	$4.85
EV Truck/SUV	48.5	$16.97	$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

Independence, IA

Late night in Independence on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Late night in Ames on Sunday

Local time

2:33 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 21m 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?

The character of this drive is mixed, offering a blend of highway speeds and more traditional road travel. You'll experience a significant 66.5-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints, which will likely feel like a continuous journey. With 41% of the route on highways, expect periods of faster travel interspersed with sections on US-20. This variety means you won't encounter a monotonous interstate grind for the entire 2 hours and 21 minutes. The road changes will keep your driving experience engaging as you move between these different thoroughfares.

41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on Avenue of the Saints.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East.

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 21m drive. You will face about 9 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 (IA 150; CR D22 / 1st Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (IA 150 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 23 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 21m. Total distance: 121.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (41%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.

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.

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

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Trip from Independence, IA to Ames, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

Cafe Diem

Potter’s Shoppe & Eatery

The Cafe

Cafe Beaudelaire

Tosca

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

Burgie's Coffee | South Ames

Provisions Lot F

Business Cafe

Cafe Diem

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Vinyl Cafe

Labyrinth Coffee

Bookends Cafe

Cafe Milo

KaffeGeita

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Discover Ames

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Independence, IA

Ames, IA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 21m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Ames, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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