Ames to Billings: Road Trip Guide & Distance

783.3 miles 1260.6 km · straight line
939.9 miles estimated 1512.7 km · driving distance
18h 55min estimated drive time
$90 - $111 estimated fuel cost
~2h 5min flight time
294° WNW bearing direction

How far is Ames from Billings?

The distance from Ames to Billings is 783.3 miles (1260.6 km) as the crow flies. Billings is located WNW of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 939.9 miles, taking about 18h 55min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 5min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Billings in Montana.

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 Billings. 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 Billings

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 18h 55min $90 - $111 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 5min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~22h 42min $75–$141* Budget
Train ~24h 36min $113–$329* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Billings

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Billings
45.78°N, 108.50°W
America/Denver
952m elevation
Explore more routes from Billings

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 261 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 65 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 31.8 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients