How far is Ames, IA from Anamosa, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Anamosa, IA is about 130.8 miles (210.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.9 miles (192.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
130.81 mi
02h 40m
Flight
119.85 mi
192.88 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ames.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.85 mi
Kilometers
192.88 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.81 mi
Kilometers
210.52 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 02h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Anamosa
Sat, Apr 18, 4:37 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sat, Apr 18, 7:17 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-18T01:57
Arrive Anamosa
Sat, Apr 18, 4:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ames
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Vining
IA

Human settlement in Tama County, Iowa, United States of America

From Ames
65.2 mi
01h 20m
To Anamosa
65.6 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1641 ft · 40 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East: Nevada

    1254 ft · 43 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    92.6 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion

    1.6 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Collins Road Northeast

    5.9 mi · 8 min · Collins Road Northeast

  9. 9

    Turn left

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Marion Airport Road

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Marion Airport Road

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    2012 ft · 57 sec

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 1

    1104 ft · 17 sec · State Highway 1

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road E34

    3.2 mi · 6 min · County Road E34

  14. 14

    Continue on Elm Street

    1472 ft · 30 sec · Elm Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Cemetery Road

    12 m · 3 sec · Cemetery Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Elm Street

    1484 ft · 30 sec · South Elm Street

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street

    1913 ft · 42 sec · West Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 East
92.9 mi · 71%
Marion Airport Road
11.8 mi · 9%
IA 100 East
10.4 mi · 8%
Collins Road Northeast
5.89 mi · 4%
County Road E34
3.24 mi · 2%
13th Street
2.44 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 30 East

Merge slight left

92.6 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.9 mi
119.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vining
01h 20m from Ames
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ames and Chance Rain Showers near Anamosa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 130.8 miles (210.5 km) and usually takes 02h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Vining is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from Ames and 65.6 miles from Anamosa.

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

The direct path is about 119.9 miles (192.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.42 one way or $34.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ames and Chance Rain Showers near Anamosa.

Stop Ideas Near Vining

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Vining, 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 Vining.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

108 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Anamosa. Straight-line distance: 119.85 mi (192.88 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Anamosa

#2 Anamosa

City in Jones County, Iowa, United States

Population5,545
Coordinates42.1083400, -91.2851600
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Anamosa (-91.28516, 42.10834)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 211 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.62 gal
17.47 L · about $17.42
Round trip
$34.84
9.24 gal · 34.94 L
Estimated CO2
41.1 kg one way
Round trip: 82.1 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.42 $34.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.65 $39.30
Premium $4.65 $21.50 $43.00
Diesel $5.30 $24.50 $49.01

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 Iowa · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Anamosa. The current time is 01:57:42.

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.