How far is Ames, IA from Bellevue, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Bellevue, IA is about 195.1 miles (314 km), with a travel time of about 03h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 164.5 miles (264.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 54m 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
195.09 mi
03h 57m
Flight
164.5 mi
264.73 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
164.5 mi
Kilometers
264.73 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
195.09 mi
Kilometers
313.97 km
Drive Time
03h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bellevue
Sun, Apr 12, 11:19 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sun, Apr 12, 3:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-12T07:21
Arrive Bellevue
Sun, Apr 12, 11:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:06 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Fairfax
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Ames
97.4 mi
01h 58m
To Bellevue
97.7 mi
01h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 22 mph SSW
Destination
72°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    24.1 mi · 28 min · Marion Airport Road

  11. 11

    Continue on 200th Avenue

    32.4 mi · 37 min · 200th Avenue

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    3.5 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Bellevue Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · Bellevue Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Great River Road

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Great River Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Main Street

    2641 ft · 55 sec · Main Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Great River Road

    7.6 mi · 10 min · Great River Road

  17. 17

    Continue on North Riverview Street

    2.5 mi · 4 min · North Riverview Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Riverview Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
18 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 East
92.9 mi · 48%
200th Avenue
35.9 mi · 18%
Marion Airport Road
24.1 mi · 12%
Great River Road
16.7 mi · 9%
IA 100 East
10.4 mi · 5%
Collins Road Northeast
5.89 mi · 3%
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 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
03h 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.6 mi
164.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fairfax
01h 58m from Ames
Leave By
9:06 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ames and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Bellevue.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 195.1 miles (314 km) and usually takes 03h 57m 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?

Fairfax is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.4 miles from Ames and 97.7 miles from Bellevue.

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

The direct path is about 164.5 miles (264.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 9:06 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.94 one way or $51.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ames and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Bellevue.

Stop Ideas Near Fairfax

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

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

RAIL

Mount Pleasant

107 mi away
418 North Adams Street
BUS

Davenport, Iowa

109 mi away
304 West River Drive
BUS

Rock Island, IL

112 mi away
3500 5th Avenue
RAIL

Ottumwa station

113 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Bellevue. Straight-line distance: 164.5 mi (264.73 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Bellevue

City in Jackson County, Iowa, United States

Population2,185
Coordinates42.2586300, -90.4229100
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Bellevue (-90.42291, 42.25863)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 314 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.88 gal
26.06 L · about $25.94
Round trip
$51.89
13.76 gal · 52.12 L
Estimated CO2
61.1 kg one way
Round trip: 122.3 kg / 270 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.94 $51.89
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.26 $58.52
Premium $4.65 $32.02 $64.04
Diesel $5.30 $36.49 $72.98

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Bellevue. The current time is 07:21:57.

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.