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Trip from Wilton, 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

3h 5m

Distance

156.7 mi

252 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 59m

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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Downtown Wilton, IA, IA

Wilton, IA

Tom Fisk

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Ames, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Wilton, IA to Ames, IA is 156.7 miles and takes about 3h 5m via Lincoln Highway and US 218, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Iowa, moving through the heart of the Midwest. The drive offers a mixed experience, blending highway speeds with more local road travel. With a duration under four hours and a low fuel cost, this is a straightforward, manageable journey perfect for a single day, allowing plenty of time for your destination.

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

78.4 miles from Wilton, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lincoln Highway 65.7 mi 1h 16m
US 218 33.7 mi 39m
I 80 30.9 mi 33m
Avenue of the Saints 16 mi 17m
Rose Avenue 2.7 mi 4m
East 13th Street 2.7 mi 5m
I 35 1.2 mi 1m
West 5th Street 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Lincoln Highway — 65.7 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Maurer Street

318 ft · 19 sec · Maurer Street
2

Turn left onto US 6 Hist

1.1 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 6

0.5 mi · 43 sec · United States Highway 6
4

Continue on US 6

2.7 mi · 4 min · Rose Avenue
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
6

Merge onto I 80

31 mi · 33 min · I 80
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
9

Merge onto I 380; US 218; IA 27

16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
10

Take the exit onto US 218

34 mi · 39 min · US 218
Toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama
11

Continue on US 30

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
13

Merge onto I 35

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 35
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward USDA Veterinary Labs
15

Turn left onto East 13th Street

2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
16

Arrive at destination

I 35 Business

Trip Plan

Given the drive time of just over 3 hours, leaving Wilton, IA in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Ames with ample time to settle in. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 65.7-mile stretch on the Lincoln Highway, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. Your estimated fuel cost is around $25, so plan accordingly before you depart.

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 78.4 miles from Wilton, IA, or about 1h 31m 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 34 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 29m

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 Wilton, 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 Wilton, IA

This is one driving day of about 156.7 miles and 3h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Wilton, 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 Lincoln Highway for about 65.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Vinton, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vinton, IA

78 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

Coralville, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vinton, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.4 miles from Wilton, 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

Wilton Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wilton, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15637324115

Sunrise Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Le Grand, Iowa

0.4 mi

Murph's Creamery & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Toledo, Iowa

0.2 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 156.7

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

Wilton Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Wilton, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15637324115

Sunrise Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 112

Le Grand, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+16414792280

Murph's Creamery & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.8

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+16414842022

Visit website

A9 Chinese Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.8

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+16414842268

Visit website

Hardee's

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.8

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

+16414844926

Visit website

La Terraza Mexican Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.8

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10:30 pm

+16414817026

Visit website

Mike's Pizza

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.8

Toledo, Iowa

Hours: 4–8:15 pm

+16414843121

Visit website

HuHot Mongolian Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 33.6

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+13193589100

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 156.7

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 156.7

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 156.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15154602116

Labyrinth Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 156.7

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 156.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15152941383

Visit website

Sidekick Coffee & Books

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.6

Iowa City, Iowa

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+13195691010

Visit website

Grind Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56

Fairfax, Iowa

Hours: 7–11 am

+13197847798

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.6

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13192598505

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 33.6

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 156.7

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 156.7

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 156.7

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 156.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

InCharge Energy Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 67.2

Newhall, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18333994638

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 33.6

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+31880109500

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 156.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Caramelcorn Shoppe/Smoothie Stop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.6

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

The Pump

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 100.8

Tama, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:45 pm

+16414817332

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 33.6

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 156.7

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

Field Day Brewing Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 33.6

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+13192082154

Visit website

The TapHaus

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.2

Atkins, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13194462739

The Spot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 123.1

Marshalltown, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+16417526014

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 0.1 and 52.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 6 Hist / West 5th Street

Turn left onto US 6 Hist / West 5th Street

Navigation decision point

4
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 6 / United States Highway 6

At end of road, turn right onto US 6 / United States Highway 6

Navigation decision point

5
35.6 mi into trip | ~41m in

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

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

Toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
6
36 mi into trip | ~42m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar...
5
52.5 mi into trip | ~1h in | US 218

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

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

Toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North:...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.50 one way

$49.00 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $26.90 $53.80
premium $4.89 $30.16 $60.31
diesel $5.61 $34.60 $69.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47 0 $16.45 $7.52
Efficient EV 39.2 0 $13.71 $6.27
EV Truck/SUV 62.7 0 $21.94 $10.03

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Wilton, IA

Night in Wilton on Saturday

Local time

11:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ames, IA

Night in Ames on Saturday

Local time

11:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Vinton, IA

78 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

20 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 5m 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 mixed drive on this route, with 42% of it being on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the historic Lincoln Highway, which can offer a different pace than the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 65.7 miles on the Lincoln Highway. This means you'll experience a variety of road types, transitioning between faster-paced highway sections and potentially slower, more scenic two-lane roads as you navigate between US 218 and I-80.

42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 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?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 6 Hist / West 5th Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 6 Hist / West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 6 / United States Highway 6): Navigation decision point; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Wilton, IA to Ames, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Waterloo along the way.

Waterloo

36 mi in | ~42m

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 3h 5m. Total distance: 156.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 0.1 miles (US 6 Hist / West 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 6 / United States Highway 6): Navigation decision point; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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