How far is Ames, IA from Oakland, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Oakland, IA is about 46.9 miles (75.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m 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
46.84 mi
01h 02m
Flight
38.82 mi
62.47 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
38.82 mi
Kilometers
62.47 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.84 mi
Kilometers
75.38 km
Drive Time
01h 02m

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 01h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Oakland
Sat, Apr 18, 6:34 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sat, Apr 18, 7:37 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-18T17:31
Arrive Oakland
Sat, Apr 18, 6:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:03 AM to 11:03 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:24 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
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Ames
23.4 mi
00h 31m
To Oakland
23.4 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    37.4 mi · 41 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward CR R75: Woolstock

    1892 ft · 51 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Dows Williams Road

    90 m · 13 sec · Dows Williams Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 330th Street

    2.5 mi · 6 min · 330th Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 30th Street

    3 mi · 7 min · 30th Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Dogwood Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Dogwood Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Oakland Drive

    919 ft · 40 sec · Oakland Drive

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Oakland Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
9 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 North
37.4 mi · 80%
30th Street
3.04 mi · 6%
13th Street
2.66 mi · 6%
330th Street
2.55 mi · 5%
Dogwood Avenue
0.62 mi · 1%
CR R75
0.36 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 35 North

Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

37.4 mi · 00h 41m

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
01h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
38.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
00h 31m from Ames
Leave By
4:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Ames and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Oakland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 46.9 miles (75.4 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from Ames and 23.4 miles from Oakland.

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

The direct path is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 4:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.22 one way or $12.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Ames and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Oakland.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Oakland. Straight-line distance: 38.82 mi (62.47 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Oakland

City located in Iowa, United States

Population1,491
Coordinates42.5810900, -93.4432600
Altitude345
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Oakland (-93.44326, 42.58109)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 75 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.65 gal
6.26 L · about $6.22
Round trip
$12.44
3.3 gal · 12.52 L
Estimated CO2
14.7 kg one way
Round trip: 29.3 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.22 $12.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.02 $14.03
Premium $4.65 $7.68 $15.36
Diesel $5.30 $8.75 $17.50

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Oakland. The current time is 17:31:39.

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.