How far is Ames, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Ames, TX to Austin, TX is about 206.8 miles (332.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 30m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Austin.
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1
Start on Martin L King Street North
30 m · 7 sec · Martin L King Street North
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
9 mi · 11 min · West Main Street
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3
Turn right onto North Cleveland Street
1028 ft · 24 sec · North Cleveland Street
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4
Turn left onto West Clayton Street
5.1 mi · 7 min · West Clayton Street
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5
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
534 ft · 15 sec · East Grand Parkway North
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6
Take the ramp straight
1295 ft · 36 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto East Grand Parkway North
56.3 mi · 1 hr · East Grand Parkway North
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 290: Austin, Houston
1889 ft · 46 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on US 290 West, TX 6 North: Austin
1.1 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Northwest Freeway
23 mi · 27 min · Northwest Freeway
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11
Continue on US Highway 290
19 mi · 21 min · US Highway 290
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 West: Austin
53.4 mi · 1 hr
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13
Continue straight
21.4 mi · 25 min
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14
Continue on Manor Expressway
6.1 mi · 6 min · Manor Expressway
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15
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, US 290 West
1.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
1.6 km · 1 min · Purple Heart Trail
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
2.4 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Trail
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19
Take the exit slight right toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
1096 ft · 27 sec
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20
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
948 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
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21
Turn right onto East 6th Street
2578 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
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22
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
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23
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Austin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
East Grand Parkway North
Merge slight left onto East Grand Parkway North
56.3 mi · 01h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ames to Austin?
The road trip is about 206.8 miles (332.8 km) and usually takes 03h 30m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hempstead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.8 miles from Ames and 105.9 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.59 one way or $55.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Hempstead
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hempstead.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Austin. Straight-line distance: 179.79 mi (289.34 km).
#1 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 30.0538300, -94.7435300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Austin
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
| Population | 995,484 |
| Coordinates | 30.2671500, -97.7430600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 333 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $27.59 | $55.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.04 | $62.08 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $33.51 | $67.03 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $29.15 | $58.30 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.