How far is Austin, TX from Ames, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Ames, TX is about 201.7 miles (324.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m 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 50m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Ames.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
1836 ft · 52 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Red River Street
711 ft · 20 sec · Red River Street
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3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
757 ft · 17 sec · East 7th Street
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4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
928 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East
906 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
2985 ft · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
2.9 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East: Houston
2.5 mi · 4 min
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9
Continue on Manor Expressway
6.2 mi · 6 min · Manor Expressway
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10
Continue on East US Highway 290
41.5 mi · 48 min · East US Highway 290
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11
Continue on West Austin Street
32.9 mi · 37 min · West Austin Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East, TX 36 South: Houston, Bellville
1393 ft · 38 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto US Highway 290 West
41.8 mi · 47 min · US Highway 290 West
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14
Take the exit slight right toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 Toll South: Grand Parkway
2269 ft · 48 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
3125 ft · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway West
56.2 mi · 1 hr · North Grand Parkway West
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17
Take the exit slight right toward FM 1960: Dayton, Humble
2361 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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19
Turn right onto North Cleveland Street
1028 ft · 25 sec · North Cleveland Street
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20
Turn left onto United States Highway 90 West
9 mi · 11 min · United States Highway 90 West
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21
Turn left onto Martin L King Street North
30 m · 3 sec · Martin L King Street North
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Martin L King Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Ames.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Grand Parkway West
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway West
56.2 mi · 01h 00m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Ames?
The road trip is about 201.7 miles (324.6 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?
Hempstead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.7 miles from Austin and 101 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.8 miles (289.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.9 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 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.91 one way or $53.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Hempstead
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hempstead.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Houston
Houston, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Ames. Straight-line distance: 179.79 mi (289.34 km).
#1 Austin
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
| Population | 995,484 |
| Coordinates | 30.2671500, -97.7430600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 30.0538300, -94.7435300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames (-94.74353, 30.05383)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.91 | $53.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.27 | $60.55 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $32.69 | $65.38 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.