Transportation
Getting Here
Centrally positioned, Ames can be reached easily from all points north, south, east and west.
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| Distance from major cities: |
| Atlanta, GA |
947 miles
|
| Austin, TX |
963 miles
|
| Chicago, IL |
322 miles
|
| Los Angeles, CA |
1,717 miles
|
| Kansas City, MO |
227 miles
|
| Minneapolis, MN |
218 miles
|
| Omaha, NE |
168 miles
|
| Portland, OR |
1,821 miles
|
| Washington D.C. |
1,043 miles
|
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Arrive By Air
Commercial air transportation is just 45 minutes away at the Des Moines International Airport. The airport provides non-stop service to many major cities around the United States. The
Ames Municipal Airport,
operated by Hap's Air Service, is designed to serve corporate fleets, charters and small private aircraft.
Car rental service is available at both airport locations.
Additional transportation options are also available to and from Ames to
both airport locations. See "Other Transportation Services" below.
Arrive By Ground
Ames, at the intersection of Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 30, can be located by traveling on north-south Interstate 35 and using exits 111B and 113. Interstate 35 also intersects with east-west Interstate 80 approximately 30 miles south of Ames, at the north edge of the Des Moines Metro area.

Getting Around
Once you’re here, use one of our many city transportation services to get around town.
CyRide
CyRide provides the Ames community with one of the best transportation systems in the nation, operating on a daily basis, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Our bus system transports more than four million people per year and offers reliable and inexpensive transportation for students, residents and visitors. Buses are wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.cyride.com or call 515.292.1100.
- Dial-A-Ride is a CyRide service that operates for persons with disabilities and elderly persons at all times that the fixed routes are operating. The buses are wheelchair accessible and service animals are allowed.
- The Moonlight Express service offers a safe ride on Friday and Saturday nights when Iowa State University is in session.
Other Transportation Services