How far is Ames, IA from Clarksville, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Clarksville, IA is about 95.3 miles (153.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 71 miles (114.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 59m 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
95.32 mi
01h 59m
Flight
71.03 mi
114.31 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
71.03 mi
Kilometers
114.31 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.32 mi
Kilometers
153.41 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 01h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Clarksville
Sat, Apr 18, 6:21 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sat, Apr 18, 8:20 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-18T04:21
Arrive Clarksville
Sat, Apr 18, 6:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:30 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
Dows
IA

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

From Ames
47.6 mi
00h 59m
To Clarksville
47.7 mi
00h 59m

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
48°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    51.8 mi · 56 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 3: Hampton, Clarion

    2550 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    8.9 mi · 12 min · State Highway 3

  5. 5

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Central Avenue West

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 3

    8.2 mi · 11 min · State Highway 3

  7. 7

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on South Street

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Street

  9. 9

    Continue on 210th Street

    7.4 mi · 10 min · 210th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  11. 11

    Continue on 210th Street

    6.5 mi · 9 min · 210th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto State Highway 188

    1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 188

  13. 13

    Continue on South Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Superior Street

    11 m · 1 sec · East Superior Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Superior Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 North
51.8 mi · 54%
State Highway 3
18.1 mi · 19%
210th Street
15.7 mi · 16%
13th Street
2.66 mi · 3%
Central Avenue West
2.09 mi · 2%
State Highway 188
1.79 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 35 North

Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

51.8 mi · 00h 56m

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
01h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.3 mi
71 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dows
00h 59m from Ames
Leave By
2:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ames and Mostly Sunny near Clarksville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 95.3 miles (153.4 km) and usually takes 01h 59m 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?

Dows is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.6 miles from Ames and 47.7 miles from Clarksville.

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

The direct path is about 71 miles (114.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.3 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 2:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.67 one way or $25.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ames and Mostly Sunny near Clarksville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Clarksville. Straight-line distance: 71.03 mi (114.31 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Clarksville

City in Iowa

Population1,333
Coordinates42.7847000, -92.6676900
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Clarksville (-92.66769, 42.7847)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 153 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.36 gal
12.73 L · about $12.67
Round trip
$25.34
6.72 gal · 25.46 L
Estimated CO2
29.9 kg one way
Round trip: 59.7 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.67 $25.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.29 $28.58
Premium $4.65 $15.64 $31.27
Diesel $5.30 $17.82 $35.64

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 Clarksville. The current time is 04:21:23.

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.