How far is Ames, IA from Jesup, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Jesup, IA is about 113.3 miles (182.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.2 miles (137.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 27m 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
113.32 mi
02h 13m
Flight
85.21 mi
137.13 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
85.21 mi
Kilometers
137.13 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
113.32 mi
Kilometers
182.37 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 02h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jesup
Sun, Apr 12, 4:33 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sun, Apr 12, 6:47 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-12T14:20
Arrive Jesup
Sun, Apr 12, 4:33 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:02 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
Steamboat Rock
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Ames
56.5 mi
01h 06m
To Jesup
56.7 mi
01h 06m

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
71°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    71.7 mi · 1 hr 23 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    7 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    2151 ft · 59 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Benson Shady Grove Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Benson Shady Grove Avenue

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Street

    1998 ft · 42 sec · South Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    2671 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 East
79.7 mi · 70%
I 35 North
28.6 mi · 25%
13th Street
2.66 mi · 2%
Benson Shady Grove Avenue
1.44 mi · 1%
6th Street
0.51 mi
South Street
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

US 20 East

Merge slight left

71.7 mi · 01h 23m

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
02h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.1 mi
85.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Steamboat Rock
01h 06m from Ames
Leave By
2:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 113.3 miles (182.4 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?

Steamboat Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.5 miles from Ames and 56.7 miles from Jesup.

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

The direct path is about 85.2 miles (137.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 2:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.08 one way or $30.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Jesup. Straight-line distance: 85.21 mi (137.13 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Jesup

City in the United States

Population2,711
Coordinates42.4755400, -92.0637900
Altitude300
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Jesup (-92.06379, 42.47554)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 182 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4 gal
15.14 L · about $15.08
Round trip
$30.17
8 gal · 30.28 L
Estimated CO2
35.5 kg one way
Round trip: 71.1 kg / 157 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.08 $30.17
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.01 $34.02
Premium $4.65 $18.62 $37.23
Diesel $5.30 $21.22 $42.43

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 Jesup. The current time is 14:20:14.

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.