How far is Ames, IA from Lake View, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Lake View, IA is about 94.3 miles (151.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.9 miles (122.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 18m 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
94.26 mi
02h 09m
Flight
75.85 mi
122.07 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
75.85 mi
Kilometers
122.07 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
94.26 mi
Kilometers
151.69 km
Drive Time
02h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake View
Fri, Apr 17, 4:38 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Fri, Apr 17, 6:47 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-17T14:29
Arrive Lake View
Fri, Apr 17, 4:38 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:12 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
Scranton
IA

Township in Greene County, Iowa

From Ames
47 mi
01h 04m
To Lake View
47.2 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
73°F
Friday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 23 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Lake View.

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    36 m · 11 sec · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on South Grand Avenue

    1342 ft · 37 sec · South Grand Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 4th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto University Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · University Boulevard

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward US 30 west: Boone

    1728 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    62.2 mi · 1 hr 21 min

  8. 8

    Continue on US 30

    1.6 km · 1 min · US 30

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Noble Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · Noble Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 180th Street

    1.9 mi · 3 min · 180th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right

    6.1 mi · 8 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 120th Street

    4 mi · 5 min · 120th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Hawthorne Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Hawthorne Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on Union Avenue

    7 mi · 10 min · Union Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 330th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 330th Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 330th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 west
62.5 mi · 66%
Union Avenue
6.98 mi · 7%
330th Street
5.02 mi · 5%
120th Street
4 mi · 4%
Noble Avenue
1.98 mi · 2%
Hawthorne Avenue
1.95 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 30 west

Merge slight left

62.2 mi · 01h 21m

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 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.4 mi
75.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Scranton
01h 04m from Ames
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake View.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ames to Lake View?

The road trip is about 94.3 miles (151.7 km) and usually takes 02h 09m 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?

Scranton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47 miles from Ames and 47.2 miles from Lake View.

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

The direct path is about 75.9 miles (122.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.56 one way or $25.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake View.

Stop Ideas Near Scranton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Scranton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Scranton.

RAIL

Creston

108 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Lake View. Straight-line distance: 75.85 mi (122.07 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Lake View

#2 Lake View

City of Iowa, USA

Population1,076
Coordinates42.3116500, -95.0533200
Altitude382
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Lake View (-95.05332, 42.31165)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 152 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.33 gal
12.59 L · about $12.56
Round trip
$25.11
6.66 gal · 25.18 L
Estimated CO2
29.6 kg one way
Round trip: 59.2 kg / 131 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.56 $25.11
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.16 $28.32
Premium $4.65 $15.50 $31.00
Diesel $5.30 $17.66 $35.32

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Lake View. The current time is 14:29:17.

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.