How far is Manning, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Manning, IA to Ames, IA is about 87.6 miles (141 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 74.8 miles (120.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m 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
87.61 mi
01h 39m
Flight
74.73 mi
120.27 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Manning.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
74.73 mi
Kilometers
120.27 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.61 mi
Kilometers
141 km
Drive Time
01h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Tue, May 12, 9:07 PM CDT
Return by in Manning
Tue, May 12, 10:47 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Manning
2026-05-12T19:28
Arrive Ames
Tue, May 12, 9:07 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Manning
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
Jefferson
IA

City in Greene County, Iowa

From Manning
44.5 mi
00h 49m
To Ames
43.1 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 23 mph W
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Street

    13 m · 7 sec · 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    901 ft · 30 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    9.6 mi · 14 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Turn left

    10.9 mi · 15 min

  5. 5

    Turn right onto West 3rd Street

    2837 ft · 1 min · West 3rd Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1156 ft · 36 sec · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East 6th Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East 6th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on County Road N33

    10.3 mi · 14 min · County Road N33

  9. 9

    Continue on 220th Street

    44.4 mi · 59 min · 220th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on 230th Street

    7.6 mi · 9 min · 230th Street

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Iowa State University

    1521 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto University Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · University Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 4th Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Grand Avenue

    1330 ft · 40 sec · South Grand Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on Grand Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 13th Street

    36 m · 3 sec · 13th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Manning 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
17 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
44.4 mi · 51%
County Road N33
10.3 mi · 12%
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
9.58 mi · 11%
230th Street
7.57 mi · 9%
East 6th Street
2.3 mi · 3%
University Boulevard
1.17 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

44.4 mi · 00h 59m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
74.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jefferson
00h 49m from Manning
Leave By
3:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny leaving Manning and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 87.6 miles (141 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?

Jefferson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.5 miles from Manning and 43.1 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 74.8 miles (120.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 3:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.65 one way or $23.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny around Manning and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ames.

Stop Ideas Near Jefferson

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

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

RAIL

Creston

107 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Manning and Ames. Straight-line distance: 74.73 mi (120.27 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Manning

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,403
Coordinates41.9091500, -95.0649900
Altitude414
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Street (-95.06499, 41.909141)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 141 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.09 gal
11.7 L · about $11.65
Round trip
$23.30
6.18 gal · 23.4 L
Estimated CO2
27.5 kg one way
Round trip: 54.9 kg / 121 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.65 $23.30
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.14 $26.28
Premium $4.65 $14.38 $28.76
Diesel $5.30 $16.39 $32.78

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Manning and Ames. The current time is 19:28:48.

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.