24 Hour Urgent Care in Ames
Ames is a college city in Story County home to Iowa State University, one of the nation's leading land-grant research universities with over 30,000 students. Mary Greeley Medical Center, a 220-bed hospital built in 1916 as a gift to the city from Captain Wallace Greeley in memory of his wife, is Ames's primary hospital and one of central Iowa's largest employers; urgent care centers on Grand Avenue and Duff Avenue serve the student and faculty population alongside Ames's community of researchers, professionals, and families.
Urgent care hours in Ames: The earliest opening time among Ames's 3 listed urgent care clinics is 8am, and the latest closing time is 7pm. 0 locations stay open past 9pm, and 3 are open on weekends — use the Open Now filter below to see who's currently accepting patients.
Filter clinics:
McFarland Urgent Care
McFarland Express Care - West Ames Hy-Vee
McFarland Express Care - Lincoln Center Hy-Vee
What to Expect at Urgent Care in Ames
Listings are checked against Google's Places API and, where needed, the CMS NPPES provider registry — see how we verify listings. Hours change frequently, so please call ahead to confirm before visiting. Found an error? Let us know.
Health Considerations in Iowa
Iowa's agricultural economy means occupational injuries from farming equipment, grain handling, and livestock are a notable driver of urgent care visits, particularly in rural communities with limited access to specialty orthopedic or trauma care. Extreme weather is also a factor: Iowa sits in tornado alley and experiences both harsh winters and hot, humid summers, with seasonal respiratory illness and heat-related conditions common at opposite ends of the calendar.
Urgent Care in Ames — Frequently Asked Questions
Is urgent care open on weekends in Ames?
Yes — 3 of the 3 urgent care centers listed above for Ames are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Some locations have reduced Sunday hours, so check the listings above for exact weekend hours at each clinic. If you need care on a Sunday evening, it's worth calling ahead to confirm the location hasn't closed early.
Do I need an appointment for urgent care in Ames?
No appointment is needed at most Ames urgent care centers. Walk-ins are welcome at all locations listed above. Some clinics offer online check-in so you can hold your spot in line before you arrive and reduce your time in the waiting room — check the clinic's website or Google listing to see if this is available.
How much does urgent care cost in Ames?
A typical urgent care visit in Ames costs between $100 and $200 without insurance for a basic exam. Additional services — such as X-rays, lab tests, rapid strep or flu tests, or stitches — will increase the total. Most clinics will provide a cost estimate when you call, and many post their self-pay rates on their website. See our full urgent care cost guide for a detailed breakdown.
Does urgent care in Ames accept Medicaid?
Many urgent care centers in Ames accept Iowa Medicaid along with Medicare and major commercial insurance plans, but acceptance varies by clinic and by Medicaid managed-care plan. Call ahead to confirm the location takes your specific plan and is in-network before your visit.
What is the wait time at urgent care in Ames?
Wait times vary by clinic. Weekday mornings tend to have the shortest waits industry-wide, and online check-in — where available — can reduce time in the waiting room.
What can urgent care treat in Ames?
Ames urgent care centers treat a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions including colds, flu, strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections, minor cuts and lacerations, sprains, rashes, pink eye, and more. Many locations also provide X-rays, lab work, and vaccinations. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, or other emergencies, go to the nearest ER or call 911.
Should I go to urgent care or the ER in Ames?
Choose urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions — infections, minor injuries, illness, and anything that isn't immediately dangerous. Go to the ER (or call 911) for chest pain, difficulty breathing, suspected stroke, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, or any situation that could be life-threatening. Urgent care is typically faster and far less expensive for the conditions it's designed to handle. See our full ER vs. urgent care guide for more detail.
How many urgent care options does Ames have?
Ames has 3 listed urgent care clinics. See the full list above for addresses, phone numbers, and hours.