How far is Polk City, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Polk City, IA to Ames, IA is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 31m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Story County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polk City and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polk City and Ames.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
5 m · 3 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
85 m · 16 sec · West Broadway Street
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3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
2207 ft · 1 min · North 3rd Street
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4
Turn right onto East Northside Drive
2378 ft · 1 min · East Northside Drive
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5
Continue on Northwest 118th Avenue
4.7 mi · 7 min · Northwest 118th Avenue
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6
Continue on Northeast 118th Avenue
2657 ft · 48 sec · Northeast 118th Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Northeast 14th Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Northeast 14th Street
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8
Turn right onto Northeast 126th Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Northeast 126th Avenue
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9
Take the ramp left toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
1960 ft · 48 sec
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10
Merge slight left
16.1 mi · 17 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs
1758 ft · 45 sec
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12
Turn left onto East 13th Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Polk City and Ames.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I-35 north
Merge slight left
16.1 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Polk City and 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 Polk City to Ames?
The road trip is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km) and usually takes 00h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Huxley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.1 miles from Polk City and 14.2 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.8 miles (30.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.77 one way or $7.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Polk City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Huxley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Huxley.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polk City and Ames. Straight-line distance: 18.82 mi (30.28 km).
#1 Polk City
American city in Iowa
| Population | 4,961 |
| Coordinates | 41.7713800, -93.7130000 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.25 | $8.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.65 | $9.31 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.30 | $10.61 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.