How far is Sheffield, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Sheffield, IA to Ames, IA is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.8 miles (101.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
72.38 mi
01h 10m
Flight
62.81 mi
101.08 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sheffield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
62.81 mi
Kilometers
101.08 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.38 mi
Kilometers
116.48 km
Drive Time
01h 10m

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 01h 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 6:26 AM CDT
Return by in Sheffield
Sun, Apr 19, 7:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sheffield
2026-04-19T05:16
Arrive Ames
Sun, Apr 19, 6:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sheffield
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Williams
IA

City in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States

From Sheffield
36.2 mi
00h 35m
To Ames
36.2 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph WNW
Destination
56°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sheffield and Ames.

  1. 1

    Start on West Gilman Street

    1799 ft · 41 sec · West Gilman Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Lincoln Street

    624 ft · 14 sec · South Lincoln Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Gilman Street

    2239 ft · 45 sec · Gilman Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Grant Street

    106 m · 7 sec · Grant Street

  5. 5

    Continue on 250th Street

    6.1 mi · 11 min · 250th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left

    2190 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    62 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  8. 8

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

    2063 ft · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto East 13th Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sheffield 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
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
250th Street
68.5 mi · 95%
East 13th Street
2.44 mi · 3%
Gilman Street
0.42 mi · 1%
I 35 Business
0.39 mi · 1%
West Gilman Street
0.34 mi
South Lincoln Street
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

250th Street

Merge slight left

62 mi · 01h 06m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 10m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.6 mi
62.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williams
00h 35m from Sheffield
Leave By
4:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sheffield and Sunny near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sheffield to Ames?

The road trip is about 72.4 miles (116.5 km) and usually takes 01h 10m 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?

Williams is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Sheffield and 36.2 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 62.8 miles (101.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 4:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.62 one way or $19.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sheffield and Sunny near Ames.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sheffield and Ames. Straight-line distance: 62.81 mi (101.08 km).

Sheffield

#1 Sheffield

City in Franklin County, Iowa, United States

Population1,096
Coordinates42.8933000, -93.2152000
Altitude328
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: West Gilman Street (-93.2152, 42.893286)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 116 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.55 gal
9.67 L · about $9.62
Round trip
$19.23
5.1 gal · 19.34 L
Estimated CO2
22.7 kg one way
Round trip: 45.3 kg / 100 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.62 $19.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.85 $21.69
Premium $4.65 $11.87 $23.74
Diesel $5.30 $13.53 $27.05

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Sheffield and Ames. The current time is 05:16:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.