How far is Ames, TX from Dallas, TX?

The driving distance from Ames, TX to Dallas, TX is about 126.3 miles (203.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 32m 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
126.34 mi
02h 16m
Flight
104.12 mi
167.57 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
104.12 mi
Kilometers
167.57 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.34 mi
Kilometers
203.32 km
Drive Time
02h 16m

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 02h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dallas
Thu, Apr 23, 5:09 AM CDT
Return by in Ames
Thu, Apr 23, 7:25 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames
2026-04-23T02:53
Arrive Dallas
Thu, Apr 23, 5:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:58 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
Abbott
TX

City in Texas

From Ames
70 mi
01h 08m
To Dallas
56.4 mi
01h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 36th Division Memorial Highway

    4.1 mi · 4 min · 36th Division Memorial Highway

  2. 2

    Continue on North Highway 36 Bypass

    3.1 mi · 4 min · North Highway 36 Bypass

  3. 3

    Turn straight

    1890 ft · 48 sec

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    17.3 mi · 20 min · East Main Street

  5. 5

    Continue on West McGregor Drive

    2.8 mi · 4 min · West McGregor Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on West US Highway 84

    5.3 mi · 6 min · West US Highway 84

  7. 7

    Continue on George W Bush Parkway

    7.3 mi · 9 min · George W Bush Parkway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Spur 298: Franklin Avenue

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Turn slight right

    79 m · 10 sec

  10. 10

    Take the ramp straight toward South Valley Mills Drive

    671 ft · 18 sec · South Valley Mills Drive

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    556 ft · 15 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto South Valley Mills Drive

    1.5 mi · 3 min · South Valley Mills Drive

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway

    1.5 km · 2 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the ramp straight toward I 35 North, US 77 North

    135 m · 11 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    1419 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

  17. 17

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas

    58.1 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Continental Avenue

    1188 ft · 31 sec

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Continental Avenue

    1275 ft · 31 sec · Continental Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street

    132 m · 15 sec · North Lamar Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Lamar Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35E
58.1 mi · 46%
Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 26%
East Main Street
17.3 mi · 14%
George W Bush Parkway
7.32 mi · 6%
West US Highway 84
5.27 mi · 4%
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
4.26 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 35E

Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas

58.1 mi · 01h 01m

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
02h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.2 mi
104.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Abbott
01h 08m from Ames
Leave By
1:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Ames and Mostly Cloudy near Dallas.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 126.3 miles (203.3 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?

Abbott is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70 miles from Ames and 56.4 miles from Dallas.

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

The direct path is about 104.1 miles (167.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.2 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 1:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.85 one way or $33.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ames and Mostly Cloudy near Dallas.

Stop Ideas Near Abbott

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Abbott and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic City Hall
Scenic stop 8.3 mi away

Historic City Hall

Hillsboro , TX
127/129 E Franklin St, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Rating 4.6/5 24 reviews Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 14.2 mi away

Whitney City Hall

Whitney , TX
115 W Jefferson Ave, Whitney, TX 76692
Rating 3.5/5 4 reviews City government office
Town Hall Estates Nursing
Nearby stop 14.3 mi away

Town Hall Estates Nursing

Whitney , TX
101 S San Marcos St, Whitney, TX 76692
Rating 4.5/5 34 reviews Non-profit organization

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Abbott.

BUS

Waco, TX

37 mi away
301 South 8th Street
RAIL

Cleburne

59 mi away
206 North Border St.
RAIL

McGregor

59 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
RAIL

Temple

91 mi away
315 West Ave B

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Dallas. Straight-line distance: 104.12 mi (167.57 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Ames

City in Liberty County, Texas, United States

Population1,275
Coordinates31.5209900, -97.7794700
Altitude281
CountryUnited States
Dallas

#2 Dallas

The ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Population1,343,266
Coordinates32.7830600, -96.8066700
Altitude128
CountryUnited States
Start: 36th Division Memorial Highway (-97.779472, 31.520989)
End: North Lamar Street (-96.806574, 32.783135)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.46 gal
16.88 L · about $16.85
Round trip
$33.71
8.92 gal · 33.76 L
Estimated CO2
39.6 kg one way
Round trip: 79.3 kg / 175 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $16.85 $33.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.96 $37.93
Premium $4.59 $20.48 $40.95
Diesel $3.99 $17.81 $35.62

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 Texas · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames and Dallas. The current time is 02:53:19.

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.