How far is Orange, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Orange, IA to Ames, IA is about 97.6 miles (157.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70 miles (112.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
97.61 mi
01h 34m
Flight
70.05 mi
112.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Orange.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
70.05 mi
Kilometers
112.74 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.61 mi
Kilometers
157.09 km
Drive Time
01h 34m

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 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Sat, Nov 7, 4:43 AM CST
Return by in Orange
Sat, Nov 7, 6:17 AM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Orange
2026-11-07T03:09
Arrive Ames
Sat, Nov 7, 4:43 AM CST
Route Timing
01h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM CST

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

Leave by
3:22 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Orange
9:30 PM CST
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
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Orange
48.7 mi
00h 47m
To Ames
48.8 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
3 to 9 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Kimball Avenue

    975 ft · 32 sec · Kimball Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Orange Road

    1 mi · 2 min · West Orange Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Ansborough Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Ansborough Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left

    1888 ft · 46 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    62.5 mi · 1 hr 12 min · Avenue of the Saints

  6. 6

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

    1612 ft · 55 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    28.6 mi · 31 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 Orange and Ames.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
62.5 mi · 64%
I 35 South
28.9 mi · 30%
East 13th Street
2.44 mi · 2%
Ansborough Avenue
2.2 mi · 2%
West Orange Road
1 mi · 1%
I 35 Business
0.39 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

62.5 mi · 01h 12m

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 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.6 mi
70 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
00h 47m from Orange
Leave By
3:22 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Orange and Mostly Sunny near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 97.6 miles (157.1 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Orange and 48.8 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 70 miles (112.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:22 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.55 one way or $27.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Orange and Mostly Sunny near Ames.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Orange and Ames. Straight-line distance: 70.05 mi (112.74 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Orange

Orange is a place in Iowa, United States.

Population0
Coordinates42.4258200, -92.3565800
Altitude292
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Kimball Avenue (-92.356982, 42.425823)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 157 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.44 gal
13.04 L · about $13.55
Round trip
$27.09
6.88 gal · 26.08 L
Estimated CO2
30.6 kg one way
Round trip: 61.1 kg / 135 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.94 $13.55 $27.09
Mid-grade $4.28 $14.71 $29.43
Premium $4.84 $16.64 $33.28
Diesel $6.01 $20.67 $41.35

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between Orange and Ames. The current time is 03:09:06.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.