How far is Ames, TX from Dallas, TX?

The driving distance from Ames, TX to Dallas, TX is about 276 miles (444.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 224.4 miles (361.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
275.93 mi
04h 33m
Flight
224.39 mi
361.12 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ames.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
224.39 mi
Kilometers
361.12 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
275.93 mi
Kilometers
444.07 km
Drive Time
04h 33m

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 04h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dallas
Sun, Apr 19, 3:16 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 7:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-18T22:42
Arrive Dallas
Sun, Apr 19, 3:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ames
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Leona
TX

City in Leon County, Texas, United States

From Ames
131.4 mi
02h 16m
To Dallas
144.5 mi
02h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
69°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Dallas.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Dallas.

  1. 1

    Start on Martin L King Street North

    30 m · 7 sec · Martin L King Street North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    9 mi · 11 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Cleveland Street

    1028 ft · 24 sec · North Cleveland Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Clayton Street

    5.1 mi · 7 min · West Clayton Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North

    534 ft · 15 sec · East Grand Parkway North

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    1295 ft · 36 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto East Grand Parkway North

    32.4 mi · 35 min · East Grand Parkway North

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Houston, Dallas

    1706 ft · 45 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Interstate 45 North Frontage Road

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 45 North

    624 ft · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    211.5 mi · 3 hr 38 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street West, Elm Street

    1302 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Elm Street

    577 ft · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Elm Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Lamar Street

    1233 ft · 31 sec · North Lamar Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Lamar Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Dallas.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 45 North
212 mi · 77%
East Grand Parkway North
32.8 mi · 12%
West Main Street
9.03 mi · 3%
West Clayton Street
5.08 mi · 2%
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.03 mi · 1%
Elm Street
0.96 mi
Longest Stretch

I 45 North

Merge slight left

212 mi · 03h 38m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.6 mi
224.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Leona
02h 16m from Ames
Leave By
7:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Dallas.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ames to Dallas?

The road trip is about 276 miles (444.1 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?

Leona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.4 miles from Ames and 144.5 miles from Dallas.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 224.4 miles (361.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.6 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 7:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.81 one way or $73.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.6 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 Dallas.

Stop Ideas Near Leona

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Leona, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Leona.

BUS

Bryan, TX

66 mi away
301 East 26th Street
BUS

Waco, TX

119 mi away
301 South 8th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Dallas. Straight-line distance: 224.39 mi (361.12 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

City in Liberty County, Texas, United States

Population1,064
Coordinates30.0538300, -94.7435300
Altitude22
CountryUnited States
Dallas

#2 Dallas

The ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Population1,343,266
Coordinates32.7830600, -96.8066700
Altitude128
CountryUnited States
Start: Martin L King Street North (-94.743466, 30.053826)
End: North Lamar Street (-96.806574, 32.783135)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 444 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.74 gal
36.86 L · about $36.81
Round trip
$73.61
19.48 gal · 73.72 L
Estimated CO2
86.6 kg one way
Round trip: 173.1 kg / 382 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $36.81 $73.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.41 $82.83
Premium $4.59 $44.72 $89.43
Diesel $3.99 $38.89 $77.78

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

There is no time difference between Ames and Dallas. The current time is 22:42:59.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.