Ames to Aspen: Road Trip Guide & Distance

718.7 miles 1156.7 km · straight line
862.5 miles estimated 1388 km · driving distance
17h 21min estimated drive time
$83 - $102 estimated fuel cost
~1h 57min flight time
259° WSW bearing direction

How far is Ames from Aspen?

The distance from Ames to Aspen is 718.7 miles (1156.7 km) as the crow flies. Aspen is located WSW of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 862.5 miles, taking about 17h 21min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 57min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Aspen in Colorado.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Aspen. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Ames to Aspen

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 17h 21min $83 - $102 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 57min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~20h 49min $69–$129* Budget
Train ~22h 33min $104–$302* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Aspen

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Aspen
39.19°N, 106.82°W
America/Denver
2438m elevation
Explore more routes from Aspen

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 240 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 60 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 34.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients