How far is Hawarden, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Hawarden, IA to Ames, IA is about 211.4 miles (340.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.3 miles (258 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
211.36 mi
03h 35m
Flight
160.31 mi
258 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Hawarden.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
160.31 mi
Kilometers
258 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
211.36 mi
Kilometers
340.15 km
Drive Time
03h 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 03h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Thu, Apr 23, 1:21 AM CDT
Return by in Hawarden
Thu, Apr 23, 4:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Hawarden
2026-04-22T21:46
Arrive Ames
Thu, Apr 23, 1:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Hawarden
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Nemaha
IA

City in Sac County, Iowa, United States of America

From Hawarden
108.3 mi
01h 47m
To Ames
103.1 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 30 mph SSE
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    105 m · 17 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 10th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on 450th Street

    5 mi · 7 min · 450th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Dipper Avenue

    6.1 mi · 8 min · Dipper Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on County Road K22

    7 mi · 10 min · County Road K22

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 3

    1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 3

  7. 7

    Continue on County Road K22

    3 mi · 4 min · County Road K22

  8. 8

    Turn left onto County Road C38

    10.9 mi · 15 min · County Road C38

  9. 9

    Turn right onto County Road K49

    13 mi · 18 min · County Road K49

  10. 10

    Continue on Fayette Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · Fayette Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 110th Street

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 110th Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Grundy Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · Grundy Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on 140th Street

    1.1 km · 58 sec · 140th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Haskell Avenue

    1831 ft · 31 sec · Haskell Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto State Highway 140

    895 ft · 14 sec · State Highway 140

  16. 16

    Continue on North 1st Street

    1 mi · 2 min · North 1st Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    27.1 mi · 32 min · Highway 20

  18. 18

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  19. 19

    Continue on 220th Street

    93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines

    1.1 km · 1 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    28.1 mi · 30 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs

    2063 ft · 53 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto East 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
93.4 mi · 44%
I 35 South
28.8 mi · 14%
Highway 20
27.1 mi · 13%
County Road K49
13 mi · 6%
County Road C38
10.9 mi · 5%
County Road K22
10 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

93.4 mi · 01h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 35m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.1 mi
160.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Nemaha
01h 47m from Hawarden
Leave By
9:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Hawarden and Sunny near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Hawarden to Ames?

The road trip is about 211.4 miles (340.2 km) and usually takes 03h 35m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Nemaha is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.3 miles from Hawarden and 103.1 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 160.3 miles (258 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.13 one way or $56.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Hawarden and Sunny near Ames.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Hawarden and Ames. Straight-line distance: 160.31 mi (258 km).

Hawarden

#1 Hawarden

City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States

Population2,443
Coordinates42.9958200, -96.4853100
Altitude360
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Avenue (-96.485211, 42.99582)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 340 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.46 gal
28.23 L · about $28.13
Round trip
$56.26
14.92 gal · 56.46 L
Estimated CO2
66.3 kg one way
Round trip: 132.6 kg / 292 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $28.13 $56.26
Mid-grade $4.25 $31.73 $63.45
Premium $4.65 $34.72 $69.44
Diesel $5.30 $39.57 $79.14

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Hawarden and Ames. The current time is 21:46:38.

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.