How far is Osceola County, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Osceola County, IA to Ames, IA is about 200 miles (321.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.8 miles (221.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
199.97 mi
03h 23m
Flight
137.73 mi
221.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Osceola County.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.73 mi
Kilometers
221.65 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
199.97 mi
Kilometers
321.82 km
Drive Time
03h 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 03h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Thu, Oct 15, 5:06 PM CDT
Return by in Osceola County
Thu, Oct 15, 8:30 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Osceola County
2026-10-15T13:43
Arrive Ames
Thu, Oct 15, 5:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:14 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Osceola County
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lytton
IA

City in Sac County, Iowa, United States of America

From Osceola County
99.7 mi
01h 41m
To Ames
100.3 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph WSW
Destination
60°F
Today

Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 16 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Osceola County and Ames.

  1. 1

    Start on Silver Avenue

    1455 ft · 1 min · Silver Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 190th Street

    1.6 km · 4 min · 190th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto County Highway A30

    13 mi · 18 min · County Highway A30

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 320th Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · 320th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Silver Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Silver Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on North Rerick Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Rerick Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on Silver Avenue

    7.2 mi · 10 min · Silver Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on 470th Street

    4.1 mi · 6 min · 470th Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Tanager Avenue

    4 mi · 5 min · Tanager Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on Q Avenue

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Q Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Railroad Street

    6.6 mi · 9 min · Railroad Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto State Highway 3

    2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 3

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 530th Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto V Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue

  15. 15

    Continue on 1st Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 7

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7

  17. 17

    Continue on Highway 7

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 20th Avenue

    9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Armstrong Avenue

    6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

    92.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street

  21. 21

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

    1.1 km · 1 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    28.1 mi · 30 min

  23. 23

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

    2063 ft · 53 sec

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Osceola County 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
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
92.4 mi · 46%
I 35 South
28.8 mi · 14%
Silver Avenue
13.5 mi · 7%
County Highway A30
13 mi · 7%
20th Avenue
9.23 mi · 5%
Railroad Street
6.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street

92.4 mi · 01h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+62.2 mi
137.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lytton
01h 41m from Osceola County
Leave By
10:14 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Osceola County and Rain Showers near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Osceola County to Ames?

The road trip is about 200 miles (321.8 km) and usually takes 03h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lytton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.7 miles from Osceola County and 100.3 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 137.8 miles (221.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.69 one way or $59.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Osceola County and Rain Showers near Ames.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Osceola County and Ames. Straight-line distance: 137.73 mi (221.65 km).

Osceola County

#1 Osceola County

County in Iowa, United States

Population5,987
Coordinates43.3785700, -95.6236900
Altitude477
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: Silver Avenue (-95.622981, 43.378572)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 322 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.06 gal
26.71 L · about $29.69
Round trip
$59.37
14.12 gal · 53.42 L
Estimated CO2
62.7 kg one way
Round trip: 125.5 kg / 277 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.21 $29.69 $59.37
Mid-grade $4.47 $31.59 $63.17
Premium $5.10 $36.01 $72.03
Diesel $6.07 $42.86 $85.72

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Osceola County and Ames. The current time is 13:43:29.

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.