How far is Oakland, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Oakland, IA to Ames, IA is about 47.2 miles (76 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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
47.22 mi
00h 49m
Flight
38.82 mi
62.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Oakland.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
38.82 mi
Kilometers
62.47 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
47.22 mi
Kilometers
75.99 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 00h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Sat, Apr 18, 4:39 PM CDT
Return by in Oakland
Sat, Apr 18, 5:28 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Oakland
2026-04-18T15:49
Arrive Ames
Sat, Apr 18, 4:39 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Oakland
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
Ellsworth
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Oakland
23.6 mi
00h 24m
To Ames
23.6 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
18 to 23 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 Oakland and Ames.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Oakland Drive

    919 ft · 43 sec · Oakland Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Dogwood Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Dogwood Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 30th Street

    3 mi · 7 min · 30th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on 330th Street

    2.5 mi · 6 min · 330th Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Dows Williams Road

    1754 ft · 42 sec · Dows Williams Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward Woolstock

    2134 ft · 52 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    37.2 mi · 40 min

  8. 8

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

    2063 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Oakland 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
10 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Woolstock
37.6 mi · 80%
30th Street
3.04 mi · 6%
330th Street
2.55 mi · 5%
East 13th Street
2.44 mi · 5%
Dogwood Avenue
0.62 mi · 1%
I 35 Business
0.39 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Woolstock

Merge slight left

37.2 mi · 00h 40m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.4 mi
38.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ellsworth
00h 24m from Oakland
Leave By
4:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Oakland 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 Oakland to Ames?

The road trip is about 47.2 miles (76 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Ellsworth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.6 miles from Oakland and 23.6 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 38.8 miles (62.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 4:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.30 one way or $12.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Oakland and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Ames.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Oakland and Ames. Straight-line distance: 38.82 mi (62.47 km).

Oakland

#1 Oakland

City located in Iowa, United States

Population1,491
Coordinates42.5810900, -93.4432600
Altitude345
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Oakland Drive (-93.44326, 42.581019)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 76 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.67 gal
6.31 L · about $6.30
Round trip
$12.60
3.34 gal · 12.62 L
Estimated CO2
14.8 kg one way
Round trip: 29.7 kg / 65 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.30 $12.60
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.10 $14.21
Premium $4.65 $7.77 $15.54
Diesel $5.30 $8.86 $17.72

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Oakland and Ames. The current time is 15:49:47.

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.