How far is Ames, IA from Lamoni, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Lamoni, IA is about 114 miles (183.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98.9 miles (159.2 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
114.02 mi
02h 09m
Flight
98.91 mi
159.18 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
98.91 mi
Kilometers
159.18 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
114.02 mi
Kilometers
183.49 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 Lamoni
Thu, Apr 23, 5:19 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Thu, Apr 23, 7:28 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-23T03:10
Arrive Lamoni
Thu, Apr 23, 5:19 AM 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
Bevington
IA

Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America

From Ames
57 mi
01h 04m
To Lamoni
57 mi
01h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 22 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1641 ft · 40 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    25.7 mi · 28 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport

    14.3 mi · 16 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    68.6 mi · 1 hr 14 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Del Mar Boulevard, Old Santa Maria Road

    2211 ft · 55 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto South Chestnut Street

    72 m · 11 sec · South Chestnut Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West 4th Street

    38 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
3 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
I 35 South
109 mi · 96%
13th Street
2.44 mi · 2%
Del Mar Boulevard
0.42 mi
South Chestnut Street
0.04 mi
West 4th Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35 South

Keep slight left

68.6 mi · 01h 14m

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
+15.1 mi
98.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bevington
01h 04m from Ames
Leave By
2:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lamoni.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 114 miles (183.5 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?

Bevington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57 miles from Ames and 57 miles from Lamoni.

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

The direct path is about 98.9 miles (159.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 2:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.16 one way or $30.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Bevington

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bevington, 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 Bevington.

RAIL

Osceola

36 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

58 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Lamoni. Straight-line distance: 98.91 mi (159.18 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Lamoni

City in Iowa, United States

Population2,196
Coordinates40.6227800, -93.9341200
Altitude343
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Lamoni (-93.93412, 40.62278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 183 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.02 gal
15.23 L · about $15.16
Round trip
$30.32
8.04 gal · 30.46 L
Estimated CO2
35.7 kg one way
Round trip: 71.5 kg / 158 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $15.16 $30.32
Mid-grade $4.25 $17.10 $34.19
Premium $4.65 $18.71 $37.42
Diesel $5.30 $21.32 $42.64

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Lamoni. The current time is 03:10:09.

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.