Ames to Prior Lake: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Ames from Prior Lake?

The distance from Ames to Prior Lake is 185.4 miles (298.3 km) as the crow flies. Prior Lake is located N of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 231.7 miles, taking about 4h 40min. A direct flight would take roughly 52min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Prior Lake in Minnesota.

For a drive of this length, it's recommended to plan at least one quick rest stop to stretch your legs and grab a coffee. Given the short distance, driving or taking a train is often faster and more convenient than dealing with airport security and flight boarding times.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Prior Lake. 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.