Ames to Big Sur: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ames from Big Sur?

The distance from Ames to Big Sur is 1554.2 miles (2501.2 km) as the crow flies. Big Sur is located W of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1865 miles, taking about 37h 31min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 38min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Big Sur in California.

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 Big Sur. 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.