How far is Ames, IA from Sibley, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Sibley, IA is about 206.9 miles (332.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.5 miles (231 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
206.84 mi
04h 21m
Flight
143.52 mi
230.98 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ames.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.52 mi
Kilometers
230.98 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
206.84 mi
Kilometers
332.87 km
Drive Time
04h 21m

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 04h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sibley
Wed, May 13, 3:19 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Wed, May 13, 7:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-05-12T22:57
Arrive Sibley
Wed, May 13, 3:19 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:22 AM to 12:22 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:16 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ames
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Sac City
IA

City in Iowa

From Ames
103.3 mi
02h 10m
To Sibley
103.5 mi
02h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 30 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

    29 mi · 31 min

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    92.8 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  9. 9

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  10. 10

    Continue on V Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    1153 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 3

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto 530th Street

    3.1 mi · 4 min · 530th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto State Highway 3

    2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3

  14. 14

    Turn right

    13.6 mi · 19 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 470th Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · 470th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Silver Avenue

    7.2 mi · 10 min · Silver Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on South Rerick Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Rerick Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Silver Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Silver Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 320th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue

    15 mi · 21 min · Roosevelt Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto 170th Street

    4.5 mi · 8 min · 170th Street

  22. 22

    Continue on 5th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 5th Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue

    1779 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 20 West
93.1 mi · 45%
I 35 North
29 mi · 14%
Roosevelt Avenue
15 mi · 7%
Silver Avenue
13.2 mi · 6%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 4%
Armstrong Avenue
5.95 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 20 West

Merge slight left

92.8 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+63.4 mi
143.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sac City
02h 10m from Ames
Leave By
8:16 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Ames and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Sibley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 206.9 miles (332.9 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?

Sac City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.3 miles from Ames and 103.5 miles from Sibley.

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

The direct path is about 143.5 miles (231 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.4 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 8:16 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.53 one way or $55.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Sibley. Straight-line distance: 143.52 mi (230.98 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

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

#2 Sibley

City in Iowa

Population2,586
Coordinates43.3991400, -95.7519600
Altitude462
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Sibley (-95.75196, 43.39914)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 333 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.3 gal
27.63 L · about $27.53
Round trip
$55.06
14.6 gal · 55.26 L
Estimated CO2
64.9 kg one way
Round trip: 129.8 kg / 286 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $27.53 $55.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.05 $62.09
Premium $4.65 $33.97 $67.95
Diesel $5.30 $38.72 $77.44

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Sibley. The current time is 22:57:53.

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.