How far is Dallas Center, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Dallas Center, IA to Ames, IA is about 43.1 miles (69.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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 00h 54m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dallas Center and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas Center and Ames.
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1
Start on Walnut Street
10 m · 6 sec · Walnut Street
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2
Turn right onto 14th Street
1411 ft · 52 sec · 14th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Sugar Grove Avenue
2990 ft · 1 min · Sugar Grove Avenue
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4
Continue on 240th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 240th Street
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5
Turn left onto T Avenue
8.6 mi · 12 min · T Avenue
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6
Turn left onto Northwest Granger Drive
1.4 mi · 2 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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7
Take the exit slight right toward IA 210: Woodward, Woodward Resource Center
2057 ft · 59 sec
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8
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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9
Turn right
5.2 mi · 8 min
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10
At the end of the road, turn right onto East 1st Street
127 m · 13 sec · East 1st Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 1st Street
2680 ft · 52 sec · East 1st Street
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12
Turn left onto North Kennedy Avenue
10.8 mi · 15 min · North Kennedy Avenue
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13
Take the ramp right toward US 30 East: Ames
1987 ft · 55 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto 220th Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · 220th Street
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15
Continue on 230th Street
7.6 mi · 9 min · 230th Street
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Iowa State University
1521 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn left onto University Boulevard
1.2 mi · 2 min · University Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto South 4th Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South 4th Street
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19
Turn left onto South Grand Avenue
1330 ft · 40 sec · South Grand Avenue
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20
Continue on Grand Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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21
Turn right onto 13th Street
36 m · 3 sec · 13th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dallas Center and Ames.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Kennedy Avenue
Turn left onto North Kennedy Avenue
10.8 mi · 00h 15m
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 And Snow Showers leaving Dallas Center and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dallas Center to Ames?
The road trip is about 43.1 miles (69.3 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Madrid is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Dallas Center and 20.9 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.9 miles (48.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 4:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.73 one way or $11.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Dallas Center and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Madrid
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 Madrid.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dallas Center and Ames. Straight-line distance: 29.9 mi (48.12 km).
#1 Dallas Center
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,822 |
| Coordinates | 41.6844300, -93.9610600 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| 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: 69 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.73 | $11.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.46 | $12.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.07 | $14.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.06 | $16.12 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.