How far is Ames, IA from Humboldt, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Humboldt, IA is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 56.3 miles (90.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m 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
83.66 mi
01h 44m
Flight
56.31 mi
90.62 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
56.31 mi
Kilometers
90.62 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
83.66 mi
Kilometers
134.64 km
Drive Time
01h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Humboldt
Thu, Apr 16, 12:13 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Thu, Apr 16, 1:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-16T10:29
Arrive Humboldt
Thu, Apr 16, 12:13 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:02 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
Webster City
IA

City in Iowa

From Ames
41.8 mi
00h 52m
To Humboldt
41.9 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
79°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    29 mi · 31 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    31.2 mi · 36 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169

    2133 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn right

    19.2 mi · 27 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Sumner Avenue Southwest

    51 m · 7 sec · Sumner Avenue Southwest

  8. 8

    Continue on Sumner Avenue Southwest

    1.3 km · 2 min · Sumner Avenue Southwest

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    64 m · 15 sec · South 6th Street

  10. 10

    Turn left

    65 m · 16 sec

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
11 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
31.5 mi · 38%
I 35 North
29 mi · 35%
13th Street
2.66 mi · 3%
Sumner Avenue Southwest
0.83 mi · 1%
US 169
0.4 mi
South 6th Street
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

31.2 mi · 00h 36m

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 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.3 mi
56.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
00h 52m from Ames
Leave By
3:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ames and Sunny near Humboldt.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 83.6 miles (134.6 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?

Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.8 miles from Ames and 41.9 miles from Humboldt.

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

The direct path is about 56.3 miles (90.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 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 3:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.12 one way or $22.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ames and Sunny near Humboldt.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Humboldt. Straight-line distance: 56.31 mi (90.62 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 Humboldt

City in Iowa

Population4,544
Coordinates42.7208000, -94.2152400
Altitude330
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Humboldt (-94.21524, 42.7208)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 135 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 40m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.95 gal
11.18 L · about $11.12
Round trip
$22.25
5.9 gal · 22.36 L
Estimated CO2
26.2 kg one way
Round trip: 52.4 kg / 116 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.12 $22.25
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.55 $25.09
Premium $4.65 $13.73 $27.46
Diesel $5.30 $15.65 $31.29

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Humboldt. The current time is 10:29:07.

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.