How far is Durant, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Durant, IA to Ames, IA is about 161.2 miles (259.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 142.7 miles (229.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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
161.22 mi
02h 35m
Flight
142.7 mi
229.66 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Durant.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
142.7 mi
Kilometers
229.66 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.22 mi
Kilometers
259.46 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Wed, Apr 15, 10:40 AM CDT
Return by in Durant
Wed, Apr 15, 1:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Durant
2026-04-15T08:04
Arrive Ames
Wed, Apr 15, 10:40 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Durant
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Van Horne
IA

Human settlement in Benton County, Iowa, United States of America

From Durant
80.5 mi
01h 17m
To Ames
80.7 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street

    107 m · 18 sec · 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue

    119 m · 23 sec · 6th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    2093 ft · 43 sec · 5th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Yankee Avenue

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Yankee Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp sharp left

    1735 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    37 mi · 40 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 380, US 218, IA 27

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 380, US 218 North, IA 27 North: Cedar Rapids, Waterloo

    3219 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    16 mi · 17 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

    33.7 mi · 40 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    65.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

    2992 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs

    1758 ft · 45 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
65.7 mi · 41%
Yankee Avenue
39.7 mi · 25%
US 30 West
33.7 mi · 21%
Avenue of the Saints
16 mi · 10%
East 13th Street
2.66 mi · 2%
I 35 North
1.75 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
142.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Horne
01h 17m from Durant
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Durant and 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 Durant to Ames?

The road trip is about 161.2 miles (259.5 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Van Horne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.5 miles from Durant and 80.7 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 142.7 miles (229.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 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 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.46 one way or $42.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Durant and Showers And Thunderstorms near Ames.

Stop Ideas Near Van Horne

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Van Horne, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van Horne.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

113 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Durant and Ames. Straight-line distance: 142.7 mi (229.66 km).

Durant

#1 Durant

City in Cedar County, Iowa

Population1,857
Coordinates41.5997500, -90.9107000
Altitude218
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street (-90.910748, 41.599588)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 259 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.69 gal
21.54 L · about $21.46
Round trip
$42.91
11.38 gal · 43.08 L
Estimated CO2
50.6 kg one way
Round trip: 101.1 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.46 $42.91
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.20 $48.40
Premium $4.65 $26.48 $52.96
Diesel $5.30 $30.18 $60.36

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Durant and Ames. The current time is 08:04:29.

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.