How far is Rock Rapids, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Rock Rapids, IA to Ames, IA is about 222.8 miles (358.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.5 miles (259.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 53m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Sac County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Rapids and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Rapids and Ames.
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1
Start on South Union Street
16.7 mi · 23 min · South Union Street
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2
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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3
Continue on Black Forest Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Black Forest Road
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4
Continue on 320th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 320th Street
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5
Turn right onto Jackson Avenue
8 mi · 11 min · Jackson Avenue
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6
Turn left onto 400th Street
7.5 mi · 10 min · 400th Street
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7
Continue on Birch Street
593 ft · 12 sec · Birch Street
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8
Continue on Cedar Street
1159 ft · 23 sec · Cedar Street
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9
Continue on 6th Avenue South
751 ft · 15 sec · 6th Avenue South
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10
Turn right onto Fir Street
729 ft · 17 sec · Fir Street
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11
Turn right onto County Road S
1437 ft · 29 sec · County Road S
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12
Continue on Log Avenue
5.8 mi · 8 min · Log Avenue
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13
Turn left onto 460th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 460th Street
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14
Continue on Garfield Street
2590 ft · 1 min · Garfield Street
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15
Continue on 460th Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · 460th Street
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16
Turn right onto Nettle Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Nettle Avenue
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17
Continue on D Avenue
5.7 mi · 8 min · D Avenue
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18
Continue on Ames Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Ames Avenue
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19
Turn left onto 490th Street
5 mi · 7 min · 490th Street
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20
Continue on State Highway 3
4.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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21
Continue on 500th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · 500th Street
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22
Turn straight onto State Highway 3
4.4 mi · 6 min · State Highway 3
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23
Turn left onto 530th Street
3.4 mi · 5 min · 530th Street
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24
Turn right onto V Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · V Avenue
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25
Continue on 1st Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 1st Street
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26
Continue on State Highway 7
2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 7
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27
Continue on Highway 7
1.1 mi · 2 min · Highway 7
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28
Turn right onto 20th Avenue
9.2 mi · 13 min · 20th Avenue
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29
Continue on Armstrong Avenue
6 mi · 8 min · Armstrong Avenue
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30
At the end of the road, turn left onto 220th Street
92.4 mi · 1 hr 47 min · 220th Street
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31
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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32
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 30 min
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33
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
2063 ft · 53 sec
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34
Turn right onto East 13th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Rapids and Ames.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rock Rapids and Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Rapids to Ames?
The road trip is about 222.8 miles (358.5 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?
Early is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.4 miles from Rock Rapids and 109.4 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.5 miles (259.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.3 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 9:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.64 one way or $59.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rock Rapids and Sunny near Ames.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Rapids and Ames. Straight-line distance: 161.49 mi (259.89 km).
#1 Rock Rapids
City in Iowa
| Population | 2,518 |
| Coordinates | 43.4271900, -96.1758600 |
| Altitude | 423 |
| 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: 358 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.64 | $59.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.43 | $66.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.58 | $73.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.69 | $83.38 |
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.