How far is Ames, IA from Lone Tree, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Lone Tree, IA is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.2 miles (191.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 41m 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
143.89 mi
02h 50m
Flight
119.21 mi
191.85 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
119.21 mi
Kilometers
191.85 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.89 mi
Kilometers
231.57 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lone Tree
Wed, Apr 15, 10:50 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Thu, Apr 16, 1:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-15T20:00
Arrive Lone Tree
Wed, Apr 15, 10:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:48 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
Elberon
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Ames
71.8 mi
01h 25m
To Lone Tree
72.1 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Overnight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph NE
Destination
75°F
Today

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 9:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Lone Tree.

  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

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 East: Nevada

    1254 ft · 43 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    99.3 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380 South, US 218 South, IA 27 South: Iowa City, Airport

    2293 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    31.8 mi · 36 min · Avenue of the Saints

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 22: Kalona, Village Museum, Lone Tree

    1841 ft · 52 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Highway 22

    2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 22

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 22

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Highway 22

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Wapsi Avenue Southeast

    1500 ft · 30 sec · Wapsi Avenue Southeast

  12. 12

    Continue on North Devoe Street

    1367 ft · 30 sec · North Devoe Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Commercial Street

    25 m · 4 sec · West Commercial Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Commercial Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 East
99.5 mi · 69%
Avenue of the Saints
31.8 mi · 22%
Highway 22
4.38 mi · 3%
State Highway 22
2.45 mi · 2%
13th Street
2.44 mi · 2%
I 35 South
1.93 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 30 East

Merge slight left

99.3 mi · 01h 55m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.7 mi
119.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Elberon
01h 25m from Ames
Leave By
12:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lone Tree.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ames to Lone Tree?

The road trip is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?

Elberon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.8 miles from Ames and 72.1 miles from Lone Tree.

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

The direct path is about 119.2 miles (191.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 12:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.16 one way or $38.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Ames and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Lone Tree.

Stop Ideas Near Elberon

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

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

RAIL

Ottumwa station

110 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Lone Tree. Straight-line distance: 119.21 mi (191.85 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 Lone Tree

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

Population1,384
Coordinates41.4880800, -91.4259900
Altitude221
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Lone Tree (-91.42599, 41.48808)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.08 gal
19.22 L · about $19.16
Round trip
$38.31
10.16 gal · 38.44 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.3 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.16 $38.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.61 $43.21
Premium $4.65 $23.64 $47.28
Diesel $5.30 $26.94 $53.89

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 Lone Tree. The current time is 20:00:05.

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.