How far is Chariton, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Chariton, IA to Ames, IA is about 87.4 miles (140.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 07m 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 01h 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Warren and Polk counties in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chariton and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chariton and Ames.
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1
Start on the route
22 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto South Grand Street
63 m · 11 sec · South Grand Street
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3
Turn right onto Court Avenue
935 ft · 24 sec · Court Avenue
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4
Turn left onto North 7th Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Street
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5
Continue on State Highway 14
6.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 14
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6
Turn left onto 260th Avenue
3.6 mi · 6 min · 260th Avenue
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7
Continue on 50th Place
1.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Place
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8
Continue on County Highway S45
1.9 mi · 3 min · County Highway S45
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9
Turn right onto County Highway G76
2679 ft · 59 sec · County Highway G76
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10
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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11
Continue on Northeast Main Street
933 ft · 24 sec · Northeast Main Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto B Street Northwest
112 m · 10 sec · B Street Northwest
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13
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
141 m · 9 sec · 1st Street Northwest
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14
Continue on County Road S45
9.2 mi · 16 min · County Road S45
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15
Continue straight
621 ft · 8 sec
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16
Continue on State Highway 5
18.2 mi · 21 min · State Highway 5
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17
Take the exit slight right
2879 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
10.3 mi · 12 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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19
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left
1.4 km · 1 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
2714 ft · 1 min
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22
Continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1758 ft · 43 sec
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23
Continue on I-35 North: Minneapolis
2751 ft · 52 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
25.7 mi · 28 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
1758 ft · 45 sec
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26
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chariton 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.
I 35 North
Merge slight left onto I 35 North: Minneapolis
25.7 mi · 00h 28m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Chariton and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chariton to Ames?
The road trip is about 87.4 miles (140.7 km) and usually takes 01h 33m 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?
Carlisle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.6 miles from Chariton and 43.8 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 15 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 3:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.61 one way or $23.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Chariton and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Carlisle
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 Carlisle.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chariton and Ames. Straight-line distance: 72.37 mi (116.47 km).
#1 Chariton
City in Lucas County, Iowa
| Population | 4,103 |
| Coordinates | 41.0138900, -93.3066000 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| 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: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.61 | $23.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.10 | $26.20 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.33 | $28.67 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.34 | $32.67 |
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 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.