How far is Ames, IA from Postville, IA?
The driving distance from Ames, IA to Postville, IA is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.1 miles (204.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Postville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Postville.
-
1
Start on 13th Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street
-
2
Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
28.6 mi · 31 min
-
3
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2998 ft · 1 min
-
4
Merge slight left
53.9 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward CR D18: Cedar Falls
2133 ft · 1 min
-
6
Turn left onto Grundy Road
1.6 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
-
7
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
-
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Greenhill Road
2 m · 1 sec · Greenhill Road
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto Greenhill Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Greenhill Road
-
10
Turn left onto Avenue of the Saints
2.7 mi · 4 min · Avenue of the Saints
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 218 South: Waterloo
1.4 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
1.1 km · 48 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Street: Airport
2340 ft · 1 min
-
14
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
1496 ft · 36 sec · Airport Boulevard
-
15
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
-
16
Turn left onto Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 8 min · Logan Avenue
-
17
Continue on Larrabee Avenue
22.8 mi · 26 min · Larrabee Avenue
-
18
Take the exit slight right
1912 ft · 57 sec
-
19
At the end of the road, turn left onto 270th Street
5.4 mi · 7 min · 270th Street
-
20
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West Main Street
-
21
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
-
22
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
-
23
Continue on West Bradford Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Bradford Street
-
24
Continue on Harding Road
16.9 mi · 23 min · Harding Road
-
25
Turn left onto North Lawler Street
12 m · 1 sec · North Lawler Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lawler Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Postville.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
53.9 mi · 01h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Ames and Sunny near Postville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ames to Postville?
The road trip is about 172.9 miles (278.3 km) and usually takes 03h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Dike is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Ames and 86.6 miles from Postville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.1 miles (204.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.00 one way or $46.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ames and Sunny near Postville.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Postville. Straight-line distance: 127.14 mi (204.61 km).
#1 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Postville
City in Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 2,033 |
| Coordinates | 43.0847000, -91.5682000 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| Country | United States |
End: Postville (-91.5682, 43.0847)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 278 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.00 | $46.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.94 | $51.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.39 | $56.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.35 | $64.71 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.