How far is Tiffin, IA from Ames, IA?

The driving distance from Tiffin, IA to Ames, IA is about 112.3 miles (180.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 103.2 miles (166.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 00m 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
112.28 mi
02h 00m
Flight
103.22 mi
166.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tiffin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
103.22 mi
Kilometers
166.11 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
112.28 mi
Kilometers
180.69 km
Drive Time
02h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ames
Thu, Apr 23, 4:53 AM CDT
Return by in Tiffin
Thu, Apr 23, 6:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tiffin
2026-04-23T02:53
Arrive Ames
Thu, Apr 23, 4:53 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:30 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tiffin
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
Tama
IA

City in Tokyo, Japan

From Tiffin
60.5 mi
01h 00m
To Ames
51.8 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
79°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East 3rd Street

    18 m · 5 sec · East 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    115 m · 19 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Marengo Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · East Marengo Road

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Park Road

    85 m · 5 sec · North Park Road

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto North Park Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Park Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Forevergreen Road

    136 m · 14 sec · Forevergreen Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Jasper Avenue Northwest

    40 m · 5 sec · Jasper Avenue Northwest

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Forevergreen Road

    1769 ft · 44 sec · West Forevergreen Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp left toward I 380 North, US 218 North, IA 27 North

    1933 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    14 mi · 15 min · Avenue of the Saints

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 151 South, US 218 North: Tama

    33.7 mi · 40 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Lincoln Highway

    65.7 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

    2992 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward USDA Veterinary Labs

    1758 ft · 45 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 13th Street

    2.7 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tiffin and Ames.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lincoln Highway
65.7 mi · 59%
US 30 West
33.7 mi · 30%
Avenue of the Saints
14 mi · 12%
East 13th Street
2.66 mi · 2%
I 35 North
1.75 mi · 2%
North Park Road
1.24 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Highway

Continue on Lincoln Highway

65.7 mi · 01h 16m

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
02h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.1 mi
103.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tama
01h 00m from Tiffin
Leave By
2:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Tiffin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ames.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 112.3 miles (180.7 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?

Tama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.5 miles from Tiffin and 51.8 miles from Ames.

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

The direct path is about 103.2 miles (166.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 2:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.93 one way or $29.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Tiffin and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ames.

Stop Ideas Near Tama

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tama, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tama.

RAIL

Ottumwa station

106 mi away
210 West Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tiffin and Ames. Straight-line distance: 103.22 mi (166.11 km).

Tiffin

#1 Tiffin

Human settlement in Johnson County, Iowa, United States of America

Population4,629
Coordinates41.7058500, -91.6629500
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Ames

#2 Ames

The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.

Population67,033
Coordinates42.0347100, -93.6199400
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Start: East 3rd Street (-91.662957, 41.705968)
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 181 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.96 gal
15 L · about $14.93
Round trip
$29.87
7.92 gal · 30 L
Estimated CO2
35.2 kg one way
Round trip: 70.4 kg / 155 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.93 $29.87
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.84 $33.68
Premium $4.65 $18.43 $36.86
Diesel $5.30 $21.00 $42.01

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

There is no time difference between Tiffin and Ames. The current time is 02:53:08.

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.