How far is Postville, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Postville, IA to Ames, IA is about 175.6 miles (282.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.1 miles (204.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Postville and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Postville and Ames.
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1
Start on North Lawler Street
12 m · 3 sec · North Lawler Street
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2
Turn right onto West Tilden Street
7.8 mi · 11 min · West Tilden Street
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3
Continue on Mill Street
9.1 mi · 13 min · Mill Street
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4
Continue on East Bradford Street
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Bradford Street
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5
Continue on 230th Street
13 mi · 18 min · 230th Street
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6
Continue on 270th Street
5.5 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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7
Continue on East Main Street
1.5 km · 1 min · East Main Street
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8
Continue on 270th Street
5.6 mi · 8 min · 270th Street
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9
Take the ramp left
2080 ft · 57 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto McCloud Avenue
22.4 mi · 26 min · McCloud Avenue
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11
Continue on Logan Avenue
6.9 mi · 9 min · Logan Avenue
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12
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Airline Highway
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13
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
786 ft · 21 sec · Airport Boulevard
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14
Take the ramp right toward US 218 north
2788 ft · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Leo P Rooff Expressway
3116 ft · 41 sec · Leo P Rooff Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right
1309 ft · 32 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
1 mi · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.2 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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19
Take the exit slight right toward University Avenue
1165 ft · 28 sec
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20
Keep slight right
102 m · 8 sec
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21
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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23
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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24
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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25
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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26
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1612 ft · 55 sec
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28
Merge slight left
28.6 mi · 31 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
2063 ft · 53 sec
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30
Turn right onto East 13th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Postville and Ames.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Grundy Road
Merge slight left
54.3 mi · 01h 03m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Postville and Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Postville to Ames?
The road trip is about 175.6 miles (282.6 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Dike is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Postville and 89.4 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.1 miles (204.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:38 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.38 one way or $46.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Postville and Sunny near Ames.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Postville and Ames. Straight-line distance: 127.14 mi (204.61 km).
#1 Postville
City in Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 2,033 |
| Coordinates | 43.0847000, -91.5682000 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| 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: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.38 | $46.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.37 | $52.74 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.85 | $57.71 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.88 | $65.77 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.