How far is Blue Grass, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Blue Grass, IA to Ames, IA is about 174 miles (280.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 50m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Blue Grass and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Grass and Ames.
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1
Start on West Garonne Street
21 m · 8 sec · West Garonne Street
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2
Turn left onto South Mississippi Street
2795 ft · 58 sec · South Mississippi Street
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3
Continue on 70th Avenue
4.5 mi · 8 min · 70th Avenue
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4
Continue on South Blue Grass Road
2815 ft · 56 sec · South Blue Grass Road
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5
Continue on 70th Avenue
2591 ft · 57 sec · 70th Avenue
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6
Turn left onto 200th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · 200th Street
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7
Turn right onto 60th Avenue
1 km · 1 min · 60th Avenue
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8
Continue on North Plainview Road
1.4 km · 2 min · North Plainview Road
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9
Take the ramp sharp left
1059 ft · 26 sec
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10
Merge slight left
44.4 mi · 48 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27
1850 ft · 45 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo
3219 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama
33.7 mi · 40 min
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15
Continue on Lincoln Highway
65.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
2992 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
1.2 mi · 1 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
1758 ft · 45 sec
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19
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Blue Grass 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.
Lincoln Highway
Continue on Lincoln Highway
65.7 mi · 01h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Blue Grass and Mostly Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Blue Grass to Ames?
The road trip is about 174 miles (280.1 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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?
Newhall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.9 miles from Blue Grass and 87.1 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.5 miles (243.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.5 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 12:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.15 one way or $46.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Blue Grass and Mostly Sunny near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Newhall
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 Newhall.
Ottumwa station
Mount Pleasant
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Blue Grass and Ames. Straight-line distance: 151.48 mi (243.78 km).
#1 Blue Grass
City in Muscatine and Scott counties in the US state of Iowa
| Population | 1,660 |
| Coordinates | 41.5089200, -90.7659800 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.15 | $46.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.11 | $52.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.58 | $57.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.57 | $65.13 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.