Origin
Waverly, IA
Morning in Waverly on Saturday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waverly, IA to Ames, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
103.3 mi
166 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waverly, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Waverly to Ames is 103.3 miles and takes about 2h 11m via I 35 and State Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Iowa, traversing the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a simple one-day trip. If you're looking for a quick connection between these two points without much fuss, this route fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.6 miles from Waverly, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 51.4 mi | 55m |
| State Highway 3 | 21.6 mi | 29m |
| 210th Street | 18 mi | 24m |
| 230th Street | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| East 13th Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Central Avenue East | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West Bremer Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 51.4 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~803 veh/hr typical · worst 1,228
Quietest
2 AM
~84 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waverly, IA and Ames, IA.
1
Start on IA 3
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Bremer Avenue
2
Turn left onto IA 3
351 ft
·
8 sec
·
20th Street Northwest
3
Continue on IA 3
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Heritage Way
4
Continue on IA 3
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
230th Street
5
Continue on IA 3
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 3
6
Continue on IA 3
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
210th Street
7
Continue on IA 3; IA 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 3
8
Continue on IA 3
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
210th Street
9
Continue on IA 3
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
10
Continue on IA 3
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
210th Street
11
Continue on IA 3
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
12
Continue on IA 3
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Avenue East
13
Continue on IA 3
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 3
14
Continue on IA 3
517 ft
·
13 sec
·
Balsam Avenue
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Hampton, Clarion
16
Merge onto I 35
51 mi
·
55 min
·
I 35
17
Take the exit onto I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
18
Turn right onto I 35 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 13th Street
19
Arrive at destination
I 35 Business
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 11m duration, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With only 103.3 miles, you won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take a break every couple of hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated cost is around $16; filling up before you leave Waverly or in a larger town along I 35 is a good idea. The longest stretch without exits is over 50 miles, so plan accordingly if you need a restroom break.
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 51.6 miles from Waverly, IA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.4 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.6 miles or 1h 12m 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 48m
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 Waverly, 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 Waverly, IA
This is one driving day of about 103.3 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Waverly, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 51.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.6 miles from Waverly, 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 55 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 100.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
IA 3 / 20th Street Northwest
Turn left onto IA 3 / 20th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
6
48.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the ramp toward Hampton, Clarion
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Hampton, Clarion
3
49.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
100.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m 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
3
100.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 35 Business / East 13th Street
Turn right onto I 35 Business / East 13th Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.02 one way
$32.03 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $17.56 | $35.12 |
| premium | $4.93 | $20.04 | $40.08 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $22.77 | $45.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31 | 0 | $10.85 | $4.96 |
| Efficient EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.04 | $4.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.46 | $6.61 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Ames, IA
Morning in Ames on Saturday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Hampton, IA
52 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
4 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
2h 11m 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?
You'll spend about 71% of this 103.3-mile drive on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 51.4 miles on I 35. Expect to transition from the Interstate to surface roads like State Highway 3 and 210th Street as you get closer to your destination. The highway portion offers consistent cruising, while the latter part will likely involve more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.4 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 3. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near IA 3 / 20th Street Northwest.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Waverly, IA to Ames, IA is easy. At 2h 11m with 71% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (IA 3 / 20th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 48.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,240 ft
914 ft
Total Climb
391 ft
Total Descent
361 ft
Highest Point
1,240 ft
~51.6 mi in
Elevation Range
326 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waverly, IA and Ames, IA, road signs point toward Hampton and Clarion.
Hampton
48.8 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Clarion
48.8 mi in
|
~1h 9m
About the Cities
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 2h 11m. Total distance: 103.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.4 miles on I 35. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (IA 3 / 20th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 48.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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