How far is Mapleton, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Mapleton, IA to Ames, IA is about 124.1 miles (199.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 111.8 miles (179.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 46m 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
124.15 mi
02h 23m
Flight
111.77 mi
179.88 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mapleton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
111.77 mi
Kilometers
179.88 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.15 mi
Kilometers
199.8 km
Drive Time
02h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Mon, Apr 13, 7:45 AM CDT
Return by in Mapleton
Mon, Apr 13, 10:08 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mapleton
2026-04-13T05:22
Arrive Ames
Mon, Apr 13, 7:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:23 AM to 12:23 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mapleton
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
Glidden
IA

City in Carroll County, Iowa

From Mapleton
62.7 mi
01h 11m
To Ames
61.5 mi
01h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 15 mph S
Destination
82°F
Monday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 22 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    14 m · 9 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    3081 ft · 1 min · South 4th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    5.1 mi · 7 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

    5.1 mi · 7 min · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on West 1st Street

    1999 ft · 49 sec · West 1st Street

  6. 6

    Continue on 210th Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · 210th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway

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

  8. 8

    Continue on M Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · M Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Turn slight left onto US 30 East: Carroll

    158 m · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on 4th Avenue South

    29.8 mi · 44 min · 4th Avenue South

  12. 12

    Continue on County Road N33

    10.3 mi · 14 min · County Road N33

  13. 13

    Continue on 220th Street

    44.4 mi · 59 min · 220th Street

  14. 14

    Continue on 230th Street

    7.6 mi · 9 min · 230th Street

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Iowa State University

    1521 ft · 39 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto University Boulevard

    1.2 mi · 2 min · University Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South 4th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · South 4th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Grand Avenue

    1330 ft · 40 sec · South Grand Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Grand Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 13th Street

    36 m · 3 sec · 13th Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mapleton 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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
44.4 mi · 36%
4th Avenue South
29.8 mi · 24%
George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
20.7 mi · 17%
County Road N33
10.3 mi · 8%
230th Street
7.57 mi · 6%
M Avenue
4.52 mi · 4%
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
02h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.3 mi
111.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glidden
01h 11m from Mapleton
Leave By
1:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Mapleton and Slight Chance 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 Mapleton to Ames?

The road trip is about 124.1 miles (199.8 km) and usually takes 02h 23m 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?

Glidden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.7 miles from Mapleton and 61.5 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 111.8 miles (179.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 1:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.52 one way or $33.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Glidden

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

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

RAIL

Creston

115 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mapleton and Ames. Straight-line distance: 111.77 mi (179.88 km).

Mapleton

#1 Mapleton

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

Population1,147
Coordinates42.1658200, -95.7930600
Altitude347
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-95.793058, 42.165901)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 200 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.38 gal
16.58 L · about $16.52
Round trip
$33.03
8.76 gal · 33.16 L
Estimated CO2
38.9 kg one way
Round trip: 77.9 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.52 $33.03
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.63 $37.26
Premium $4.65 $20.38 $40.77
Diesel $5.30 $23.23 $46.46

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Mapleton and Ames. The current time is 05:22:06.

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.