How far is Kingsley, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Kingsley, IA to Ames, IA is about 156.5 miles (251.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.9 miles (202.6 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
156.55 mi
02h 35m
Flight
125.9 mi
202.61 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kingsley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.9 mi
Kilometers
202.61 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.55 mi
Kilometers
251.95 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
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 AM CDT
Return by in Kingsley
Sun, Apr 19, 5:28 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kingsley
2026-04-19T00:17
Arrive Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 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 Kingsley
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Knierim
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Kingsley
80.9 mi
01h 17m
To Ames
75.6 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WNW
Destination
56°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 2nd Street

    19 m · 7 sec · West 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    144 m · 27 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East 1st Street

    2656 ft · 1 min · East 1st Street

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road L14

    1.8 mi · 2 min · County Road L14

  5. 5

    Continue on Knox Avenue

    1.5 km · 1 min · Knox Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 110th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 110th Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Lee Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Lee Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20

  9. 9

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  10. 10

    Continue on 220th Street

    93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street

  11. 11

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

    1.1 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    28.1 mi · 30 min

  13. 13

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

    2063 ft · 53 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kingsley 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
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
93.4 mi · 60%
I 35 South
28.8 mi · 18%
Highway 20
19 mi · 12%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 5%
Lee Avenue
4.48 mi · 3%
East 13th Street
2.44 mi · 2%
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 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
+30.6 mi
125.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knierim
01h 17m from Kingsley
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Kingsley and Sunny near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 156.5 miles (251.9 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?

Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.9 miles from Kingsley and 75.6 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 125.9 miles (202.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 $20.82 one way or $41.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kingsley and Ames. Straight-line distance: 125.9 mi (202.61 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Kingsley

Town in Iowa, USA

Population1,397
Coordinates42.5883200, -95.9675200
Altitude383
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: West 2nd Street (-95.967524, 42.588201)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.52 gal
20.91 L · about $20.82
Round trip
$41.63
11.04 gal · 41.82 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.1 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.82 $41.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.48 $46.95
Premium $4.65 $25.69 $51.38
Diesel $5.30 $29.28 $58.56

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Kingsley and Ames. The current time is 00:17:09.

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.