How far is Ames, IA from Webster City, IA?

The driving distance from Ames, IA to Webster City, IA is about 45.9 miles (73.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.7 miles (51 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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
45.89 mi
00h 55m
Flight
31.67 mi
50.96 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
31.67 mi
Kilometers
50.96 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.89 mi
Kilometers
73.86 km
Drive Time
00h 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 00h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Webster City
Fri, Apr 17, 10:57 PM CDT
Return by in Ames
Fri, Apr 17, 11:52 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-17T22:02
Arrive Webster City
Fri, Apr 17, 10:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:40 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
22.9 mi
00h 27m
To Webster City
22.9 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
77°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
16 to 23 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Webster City.

  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

    12.3 mi · 14 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 17 South

    2183 ft · 54 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Superior Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Superior Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    18 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
8 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 North
29 mi · 63%
US 20 West
12.6 mi · 27%
13th Street
2.66 mi · 6%
Superior Street
1.27 mi · 3%
IA 17 South
0.41 mi · 1%
2nd Street
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35 North

Turn left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis

29 mi · 00h 31m

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
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.2 mi
31.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
00h 27m from Ames
Leave By
4:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Ames and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Webster City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ames to Webster City?

The road trip is about 45.9 miles (73.9 km) and usually takes 00h 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Ames and 22.9 miles from Webster City.

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

The direct path is about 31.7 miles (51 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 4:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.11 one way or $12.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Ames and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Webster City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Webster City. Straight-line distance: 31.67 mi (50.96 km).

Ames

#1 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Webster City

#2 Webster City

City in Iowa

Population7,671
Coordinates42.4694200, -93.8160500
Altitude317
CountryUnited States
Start: Ames (-93.61994, 42.03471)
End: Webster City (-93.81605, 42.46942)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 74 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.62 gal
6.13 L · about $6.11
Round trip
$12.22
3.24 gal · 12.26 L
Estimated CO2
14.4 kg one way
Round trip: 28.8 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.11 $12.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.89 $13.78
Premium $4.65 $7.54 $15.08
Diesel $5.30 $8.59 $17.18

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 Webster City. The current time is 22:02:01.

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.