Ames to Badlands: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ames from Badlands?

The distance from Ames to Badlands is 458.4 miles (737.7 km) as the crow flies. Badlands is located WNW of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 550 miles, taking about 11h 4min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 25min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Badlands in South Dakota.

This is a solid day of driving. Be sure to take breaks every 2-3 hours to avoid driver fatigue, and plan your meals ahead of time. 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.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Badlands. 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.