Ames to Elmhurst: Road Trip Guide & Distance

291.9 miles 469.7 km · straight line
364.8 miles estimated 587.1 km · driving distance
7h 20min estimated drive time
$35 - $43 estimated fuel cost
~1h 5min flight time
90° E bearing direction

How far is Ames from Elmhurst?

The distance from Ames to Elmhurst is 291.9 miles (469.7 km) as the crow flies. Elmhurst is located E of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 364.8 miles, taking about 7h 20min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 5min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Elmhurst in Illinois.

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. Heading East means you'll be driving into the sunrise if you start early. Keep your windshield clean for the best visibility.

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

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 7h 20min $35 - $43 Flexible stops
Fly ~1h 5min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~8h 48min $29–$55* Budget
Train ~6h 58min $44–$128* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Elmhurst

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Elmhurst
41.90°N, 87.94°W
America/Chicago
209m elevation
Explore more routes from Elmhurst

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 97 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 24 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 85.3 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients