How far is Ames, IA from Sheffield, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Sheffield, IA is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.8 miles (101.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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
72.37 mi
01h 25m
Flight
62.81 mi
101.08 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
62.81 mi
Kilometers
101.08 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.37 mi
Kilometers
116.47 km
Drive Time
01h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sheffield
Sun, Apr 19, 8:00 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 9:26 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-19T06:35
Arrive Sheffield
Sun, Apr 19, 8:00 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:26 AM to 11:26 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:38 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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Ames
36.2 mi
00h 42m
To Sheffield
36.2 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NW
Destination
53°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    62.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward CR C13: Sheffield, Belmond

    1554 ft · 39 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 250th Street

    6 mi · 11 min · 250th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Grant Street

    106 m · 7 sec · Grant Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Gilman Street

    2239 ft · 50 sec · Gilman Street

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Lincoln Street

    624 ft · 15 sec · South Lincoln Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Gilman Street

    1799 ft · 36 sec · West Gilman Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Gilman Street

Car Route Details

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

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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 North
62.5 mi · 86%
250th Street
6 mi · 8%
13th Street
2.66 mi · 4%
Gilman Street
0.42 mi · 1%
West Gilman Street
0.34 mi
CR C13
0.29 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35 North

Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

62.5 mi · 01h 07m

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 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.6 mi
62.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
00h 42m from Ames
Leave By
3:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ames and Sunny near Sheffield.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Ames and 36.2 miles from Sheffield.

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

The direct path is about 62.8 miles (101.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 3:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.62 one way or $19.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ames and Sunny near Sheffield.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Sheffield. Straight-line distance: 62.81 mi (101.08 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Sheffield

City in Franklin County, Iowa, United States

Population1,096
Coordinates42.8933000, -93.2152000
Altitude328
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Sheffield (-93.2152, 42.8933)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 116 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.55 gal
9.67 L · about $9.62
Round trip
$19.23
5.1 gal · 19.34 L
Estimated CO2
22.7 kg one way
Round trip: 45.3 kg / 100 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.62 $19.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.85 $21.69
Premium $4.65 $11.87 $23.74
Diesel $5.30 $13.53 $27.05

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Sheffield. The current time is 06:35:00.

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.