How far is Ames, IA from Fayette, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Fayette, IA is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.2 miles (174.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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
147.69 mi
03h 07m
Flight
108.17 mi
174.09 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
108.17 mi
Kilometers
174.09 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.69 mi
Kilometers
237.68 km
Drive Time
03h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fayette
Sat, May 30, 4:45 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sat, May 30, 7:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-05-30T13:37
Arrive Fayette
Sat, May 30, 4:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 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
10:44 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
Holland
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Ames
73.8 mi
01h 33m
To Fayette
73.9 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 13 mph ESE
Destination
82°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 14 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    28.6 mi · 31 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo

    2998 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    53.9 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls

    2133 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Grundy Road

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road

  7. 7

    Continue on University Avenue

    3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road

    2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo

    1.4 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway

    1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport

    2340 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Airport Boulevard

    1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Airline Highway

    3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Logan Avenue

    6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on Larrabee Avenue

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Larrabee Avenue

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    1998 ft · 56 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 230th Street

    12.9 mi · 18 min · 230th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on 60th Street

    9 mi · 12 min · 60th Street

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto P Avenue

    4 mi · 6 min · P Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Main Street West

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Main Street West

  23. 23

    Continue on 100th Street

    3.2 mi · 5 min · 100th Street

  24. 24

    Turn left onto K Avenue

    3.8 mi · 5 min · K Avenue

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Klock Road

    2235 ft · 45 sec · Klock Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Washington Street

    1492 ft · 35 sec · Washington Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto East 7th Street

    97 m · 8 sec · East 7th Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto South Main Street

    1843 ft · 37 sec · South Main Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
54.5 mi · 37%
I 35 North
28.6 mi · 19%
230th Street
12.9 mi · 9%
60th Street
8.98 mi · 6%
Logan Avenue
6.91 mi · 5%
Larrabee Avenue
5.16 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

53.9 mi · 01h 02m

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 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.5 mi
108.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Holland
01h 33m from Ames
Leave By
10:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Ames and Partly Sunny near Fayette.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 147.7 miles (237.7 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?

Holland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.8 miles from Ames and 73.9 miles from Fayette.

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

The direct path is about 108.2 miles (174.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.5 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 10:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ames and Partly Sunny near Fayette.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Fayette. Straight-line distance: 108.17 mi (174.09 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Fayette

City in and county seat of Fayette County, Alabama, United States

Population1,378
Coordinates42.8419300, -91.8021100
Altitude307
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Fayette (-91.80211, 42.84193)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 238 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.73 L · about $19.65
Round trip
$39.29
10.42 gal · 39.46 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.65 $39.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.16 $44.32
Premium $4.65 $24.25 $48.49
Diesel $5.30 $27.63 $55.27

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Fayette. The current time is 13:37:50.

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.