How far is Rock Valley, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Rock Valley, IA to Ames, IA is about 213.5 miles (343.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m 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 41m.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Valley and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Valley and Ames.
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1
Start on 15th Street
9 m · 3 sec · 15th Street
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2
Turn right onto 16th Avenue
1916 ft · 1 min · 16th Avenue
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3
Turn left onto 10th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 10th Street
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4
Continue on 310th Street
5.2 mi · 7 min · 310th Street
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5
Continue straight
1 mi · 2 min
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6
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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7
Continue on Black Forest Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Black Forest Road
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8
Continue on 320th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 320th Street
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9
Turn right onto Jackson Avenue
8 mi · 11 min · Jackson Avenue
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10
Continue on County Road K64
3.7 mi · 5 min · County Road K64
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11
Continue on Albany Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · Albany Avenue
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12
Turn left onto 8th Street Southeast
1307 ft · 36 sec · 8th Street Southeast
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13
Continue on 450th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 450th Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 450th Street
24 m · 5 sec · 450th Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto 450th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 450th Street
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16
Turn right onto Kennedy Avenue
1.4 km · 1 min · Kennedy Avenue
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17
Continue on State Highway 10
1587 ft · 25 sec · State Highway 10
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18
Continue on 460th Street
1.8 mi · 2 min · 460th Street
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19
Turn right onto Kiwi Avenue
5 mi · 7 min · Kiwi Avenue
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20
Continue on County Road L14
7 mi · 10 min · County Road L14
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21
Continue on State Highway 140
15.1 mi · 21 min · State Highway 140
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22
Turn left onto 320th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 320th Street
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23
Turn right onto Shamrock Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Shamrock Avenue
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24
Continue on Lee Avenue
5.4 mi · 7 min · Lee Avenue
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25
Turn left onto Highway 20
19 mi · 23 min · Highway 20
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26
Continue on United States Highway 20
8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
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27
Continue on 220th Street
93.4 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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29
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 30 min
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30
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
2063 ft · 51 sec
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31
Turn right onto East 13th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Valley and Ames.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
220th Street
Continue on 220th Street
93.4 mi · 01h 48m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Rock Valley and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rock Valley to Ames?
The road trip is about 213.5 miles (343.6 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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 110.4 miles from Rock Valley and 103.1 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.3 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 9:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.40 one way or $56.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Rock Valley and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Valley and Ames. Straight-line distance: 158.23 mi (254.64 km).
#1 Rock Valley
City in Sioux County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 3,901 |
| Coordinates | 43.2052600, -96.2950300 |
| Altitude | 381 |
| 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: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.40 | $56.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $32.03 | $64.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $35.04 | $70.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.94 | $79.88 |
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 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.