How far is Guthrie Center, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Guthrie Center, IA to Ames, IA is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 43m 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
71.18 mi
01h 21m
Flight
51.74 mi
83.26 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Guthrie Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.74 mi
Kilometers
83.26 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
71.18 mi
Kilometers
114.55 km
Drive Time
01h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Sun, May 3, 9:27 AM CDT
Return by in Guthrie Center
Sun, May 3, 10:49 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Guthrie Center
2026-05-03T08:05
Arrive Ames
Sun, May 3, 9:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Guthrie Center
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
Bouton
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Guthrie Center
36.2 mi
00h 41m
To Ames
35 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph W
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Guthrie Center and Ames.

  1. 1

    Start on State Street

    7 mi · 10 min · State Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Northeast 3rd Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Northeast 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 4

    9.3 mi · 13 min · State Highway 4

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 120th Street

    1537 ft · 26 sec · 120th Street

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    16.8 mi · 23 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on Northwest Granger Drive

    1037 ft · 14 sec · Northwest Granger Drive

  8. 8

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 169: Ogden, Adel

    1872 ft · 60 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto N Avenue

    1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on H Avenue

    11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the exit left

    1346 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto 220th Street

    12.8 mi · 16 min · 220th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on 230th Street

    7.6 mi · 9 min · 230th Street

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Iowa State University

    1521 ft · 39 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto University Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · University Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 4th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto South Grand Avenue

    1330 ft · 40 sec · South Grand Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on Grand Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 13th Street

    36 m · 3 sec · 13th Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
16.8 mi · 24%
220th Street
12.8 mi · 18%
H Avenue
11.6 mi · 16%
State Highway 4
9.32 mi · 13%
230th Street
7.57 mi · 11%
State Street
6.97 mi · 10%
Longest Stretch

George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

Turn straight onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

16.8 mi · 00h 23m

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
01h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.4 mi
51.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bouton
00h 41m from Guthrie Center
Leave By
3:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Guthrie Center 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 Guthrie Center to Ames?

The road trip is about 71.2 miles (114.6 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?

Bouton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Guthrie Center and 35 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.4 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 3:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.47 one way or $18.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Guthrie Center and Mostly Sunny near Ames.

Stop Ideas Near Bouton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Bouton, 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 Bouton.

RAIL

Creston

93 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Osceola

93 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Guthrie Center and Ames. Straight-line distance: 51.74 mi (83.26 km).

Guthrie Center

#1 Guthrie Center

City in Iowa

Population1,487
Coordinates41.6772100, -94.5033000
Altitude338
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: State Street (-94.5033, 41.677246)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 115 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.51 gal
9.51 L · about $9.47
Round trip
$18.93
5.02 gal · 19.02 L
Estimated CO2
22.3 kg one way
Round trip: 44.6 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.47 $18.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.68 $21.35
Premium $4.65 $11.68 $23.36
Diesel $5.30 $13.31 $26.63

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Guthrie Center and Ames. The current time is 08:05:11.

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.