How far is Ames, IA from Dallas Center, IA?
The driving distance from Ames, IA to Dallas Center, IA is about 43.2 miles (69.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 04m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Dallas Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Dallas Center.
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1
Start on 13th Street
36 m · 11 sec · 13th Street
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Continue on South Grand Avenue
1342 ft · 37 sec · South Grand Avenue
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4
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 4th Street
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5
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.1 mi · 2 min · University Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp right toward US 30 west: Boone
1728 ft · 42 sec
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7
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
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8
Turn left onto 230th Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · 230th Street
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9
Turn left onto S Avenue
10.1 mi · 14 min · S Avenue
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10
Turn right onto East 1st Street
2680 ft · 47 sec · East 1st Street
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11
Continue on East 1st Street
127 m · 12 sec · East 1st Street
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12
Turn left onto West North Street
1278 ft · 22 sec · West North Street
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13
Continue on 334th Road
5 mi · 7 min · 334th Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Main Street
2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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15
Take the ramp left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1513 ft · 42 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Northwest Granger Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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17
Turn right onto T Avenue
8.6 mi · 12 min · T Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 240th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 240th Street
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19
Continue on Sugar Grove Avenue
2990 ft · 1 min · Sugar Grove Avenue
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20
Turn left onto 14th Street
1411 ft · 55 sec · 14th Street
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21
Turn left onto Walnut Street
10 m · 2 sec · Walnut Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Dallas Center.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
S Avenue
Turn left onto S Avenue
10.1 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ames and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dallas Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ames to Dallas Center?
The road trip is about 43.2 miles (69.6 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?
Madrid is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.6 miles from Ames and 21.6 miles from Dallas Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 4:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.77 one way or $11.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ames and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Dallas Center.
Stop Ideas Near Madrid
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 Madrid.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Dallas Center. Straight-line distance: 29.9 mi (48.12 km).
#1 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dallas Center
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,822 |
| Coordinates | 41.6844300, -93.9610600 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dallas Center (-93.96106, 41.68443)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 70 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.51 | $13.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.12 | $14.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.12 | $16.23 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.