How far is Ames, IA from Mapleton, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Mapleton, IA is about 125.5 miles (202 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.8 miles (179.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m 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
125.5 mi
02h 55m
Flight
111.77 mi
179.88 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
111.77 mi
Kilometers
179.88 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.5 mi
Kilometers
201.98 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mapleton
Mon, Apr 13, 10:01 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Mon, Apr 13, 12:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-13T07:05
Arrive Mapleton
Mon, Apr 13, 10:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:38 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
Glidden
IA

City in Carroll County, Iowa

From Ames
62.6 mi
01h 27m
To Mapleton
62.9 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 22 mph SSW
Destination
82°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    29.8 mi · 45 min · US 30

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on US 59 North, IA 141 West: Ida Grove

    108 m · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto 260th Street

    1303 ft · 22 sec · 260th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto M Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · M Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    10.5 mi · 14 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  15. 15

    Continue on East 1st Street

    1999 ft · 49 sec · East 1st Street

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    4.9 mi · 7 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    5.2 mi · 7 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on South 4th Street

    3081 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Main Street

    14 m · 2 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 30 west
62.5 mi · 50%
US 30
29.8 mi · 24%
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
23 mi · 18%
M Avenue
4.53 mi · 4%
210th Street
1.5 mi · 1%
South 4th Street
1.25 mi · 1%
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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.7 mi
111.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glidden
01h 27m from Ames
Leave By
12:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ames and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Mapleton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.5 miles (202 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Glidden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.6 miles from Ames and 62.9 miles from Mapleton.

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

The direct path is about 111.8 miles (179.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 12:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.71 one way or $33.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ames and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Mapleton.

Stop Ideas Near Glidden

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

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

RAIL

Creston

115 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Mapleton. Straight-line distance: 111.77 mi (179.88 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Mapleton

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

Population1,147
Coordinates42.1658200, -95.7930600
Altitude347
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Mapleton (-95.79306, 42.16582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 202 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.43 gal
16.76 L · about $16.71
Round trip
$33.41
8.86 gal · 33.52 L
Estimated CO2
39.4 kg one way
Round trip: 78.7 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.71 $33.41
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.84 $37.68
Premium $4.65 $20.62 $41.23
Diesel $5.30 $23.50 $46.99

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Mapleton. The current time is 07:05:52.

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.