Trip from Iowa City, 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 7m

Distance

127.7 mi

205 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

1h 58m ★

6 AM

2h 7m

8 AM

2h 25m

10 AM

2h 13m

12 PM

2h 12m

3 PM

2h 14m

5 PM

2h 24m

8 PM

2h 2m

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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city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Iowa City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Iowa City to Ames, this 127.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the heart of the Midwest. You can expect to spend about 2 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With no mandatory stops required, you can easily complete the drive in one go, keeping your fuel costs around $19. Because the route relies on local roads like Kimball Road and North Dubuque Street rather than major interstates, it offers a more personal, grounded experience of the Iowa landscape. It is an ideal route for travelers who prefer a direct path between these two hubs without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

63.8 miles from Iowa City, IA

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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Kimball Road	—	—
North Dubuque Street	—	—
I 380	—	—
Avenue of the Saints	—	—
US 30 West	—	—
Lincoln Highway	—	—
I 35 North	—	—
USDA Veterinary Labs	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Kimball Road — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Gilbert Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Gilbert Street

Turn slight left onto Kimball Road

476 ft · 22 sec · Kimball Road

Turn right onto North Dubuque Street

1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street

Turn left

0.4 mi · 59 sec

Merge slight left

4.1 mi · 4 min

Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

0.4 mi · 45 sec · I 380, US 218, IA 27

Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

34 mi · 39 min · US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

Continue on Lincoln Highway

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway

Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 35 North: Minneapolis

Merge slight left

1.2 mi · 1 min

Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs

0.3 mi · 45 sec · USDA Veterinary Labs

Turn left onto East 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no required stops, you can hit the road whenever it is most convenient, though keep in mind that navigating local roads like North Dubuque Street may take longer during peak commute hours. Budgeting roughly $19 for fuel should comfortably cover your gas needs for the duration of the trip. To ensure a smooth journey, familiarize yourself with your turn-by-turn navigation before leaving, as the reliance on local roads means you will be making more frequent maneuvers than on a standard highway drive. Take advantage of the quick 2-hour-and-7-minute travel time to enjoy the ride without the pressure of needing a long-distance itinerary.

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 63.8 miles from Iowa City, IA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.

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 28 miles or 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.8 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 44m

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 Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA

This is one driving day of about 127.7 miles and 2h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Iowa City, IA.

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

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

64 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

North Liberty, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tama, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.8 miles from Iowa City, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.2 mi

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iowa City, Iowa

0.5 mi

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13198872233

Visit website

Pullman Bar & Diner

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $20 to $30

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+13193381808

Visit website

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+13193587342

Visit website

St. Burch Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Moderately

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13193417700

Visit website

Nodo Downtown

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+13193591181

Visit website

The Encounter Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+13195192044

Visit website

Bluebird Diner

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13193511470

Visit website

The Dandy Lion

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13193586400

Visit website

Kindred Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

The Black Angel Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+13193591848

Visit website

DAYDRINK

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

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 127.7

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 127.7

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 127.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Press Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+13198871500

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.1

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 127.7

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 127.7

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 127.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 127.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 127.7

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 127.7

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 127.7

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 9.1

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

The Pump

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73

Tama, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm

+16414817332

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 9.1

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 127.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.1

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

The TapHaus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 36.5

Atkins, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13194462739

Sub City

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 91.2

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–7 pm

+16417521375

The Spot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 91.2

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+16417526014

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.96 one way

$39.93 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$21.92	$43.84
premium	$4.89	$24.57	$49.15
diesel	$5.61	$28.19	$56.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 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	38.3	$13.41	$6.13
Efficient EV	31.9	$11.17	$5.11
EV Truck/SUV	51.1	$17.88	$8.17

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 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

Iowa City, IA

Night in Iowa City on Saturday

Local time

9:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Night in Ames on Saturday

Local time

9:52 PM

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

3 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 7m 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 rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local thoroughfares, trading high-speed lane changes for a more deliberate pace. Because the path relies on surface streets and local corridors, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. This setup creates a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local infrastructure throughout the entire 127.7-mile distance. It is a practical alternative for those who want to avoid the predictable nature of heavy interstate travel.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

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

Main road: Kimball Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

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.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Iowa City, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 7m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Iowa City, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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 7m. Total distance: 127.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Iowa City, IA to Ames, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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 Iowa City, IA or browse trips ending in Ames, IA.

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Trip from Iowa City, 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

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

Kindred Coffee

Crêpes de Luxe Cafe

Pullman Bar & Diner

Oasis Falafel (Iowa City)

St. Burch Tavern

Nodo Downtown

The Encounter Cafe

Bluebird Diner

The Dandy Lion

Kindred Coffee

The Black Angel Restaurant

DAYDRINK

Cafe Diem

Morning Bell Coffee Roasters

Vinyl Cafe

Press Coffee

Midnight Coffee

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

Barrel House

The Pump

Field Day Brewing Co.

Discover Ames

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

The TapHaus

Sub City

The Spot

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Iowa City, IA

Ames, IA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 7m 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

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

Continue From Ames, IA

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