Ames to Pinnacles: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ames from Pinnacles?

The distance from Ames to Pinnacles is 1516.1 miles (2440 km) as the crow flies. Pinnacles is located W of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1819.4 miles, taking about 36h 36min. A direct flight would take roughly 3h 33min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Pinnacles 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 Pinnacles. 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.