How far is Moville, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Moville, IA to Ames, IA is about 155.4 miles (250.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 129.2 miles (208 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 05m 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
155.42 mi
02h 32m
Flight
129.27 mi
208.04 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Moville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
129.27 mi
Kilometers
208.04 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.42 mi
Kilometers
250.13 km
Drive Time
02h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 2:06 AM CDT
Return by in Moville
Sun, Apr 19, 4:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Moville
2026-04-18T23:33
Arrive Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 2:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Moville
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 Moville
80.3 mi
01h 16m
To Ames
75.1 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Saturday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North 2nd Street

    128 m · 18 sec · North 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Jones Street

    720 ft · 32 sec · Jones Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 1st Street

    2133 ft · 1 min · South 1st Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Highway 20

    27.1 mi · 32 min · Highway 20

  5. 5

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  6. 6

    Continue on 220th Street

    93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street

  7. 7

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

    1.1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    28.1 mi · 30 min

  9. 9

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

    2063 ft · 53 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  11. 11

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Moville 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
11 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
93.4 mi · 60%
I 35 South
28.8 mi · 19%
Highway 20
27.1 mi · 17%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 5%
East 13th Street
2.44 mi · 2%
South 1st Street
0.4 mi
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 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.2 mi
129.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Knierim
01h 16m from Moville
Leave By
1:24 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Moville and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 155.4 miles (250.1 km) and usually takes 02h 32m 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 80.3 miles from Moville and 75.1 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 129.2 miles (208 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 1:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Moville and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ames.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Moville and Ames. Straight-line distance: 129.27 mi (208.04 km).

Moville

#1 Moville

City in Woodbury County, Iowa, United States of America

Population1,651
Coordinates42.4888800, -96.0725200
Altitude359
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: North 2nd Street (-96.072419, 42.48888)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 250 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.48 gal
20.76 L · about $20.67
Round trip
$41.33
10.96 gal · 41.52 L
Estimated CO2
48.7 kg one way
Round trip: 97.4 kg / 215 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.67 $41.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.31 $46.61
Premium $4.65 $25.50 $51.01
Diesel $5.30 $29.07 $58.13

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 Moville and Ames. The current time is 23:33:34.

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.