How far is Ankeny, IA from Spirit Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Ankeny, IA to Spirit Lake, IA is about 193.3 miles (311.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.6 miles (224.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Spirit Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Spirit Lake.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 4 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
829 ft · 37 sec · Southwest Walnut Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.5 mi · 4 min · West 1st Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1707 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left
49.6 mi · 54 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
1664 ft · 57 sec
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7
Merge slight left
56.1 mi · 1 hr 5 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas
2133 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn right onto Marshall Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue
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11
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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12
Continue on South East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street
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13
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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14
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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15
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street
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16
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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17
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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18
Continue on Broadway Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street
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19
Turn left onto Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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20
Continue on 450th Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · 450th Avenue
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21
Continue on 360th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 360th Street
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22
Turn right onto 420th Avenue
8.9 mi · 12 min · 420th Avenue
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23
Continue on State Highway 4
10.6 mi · 15 min · State Highway 4
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24
Turn left onto South 1st Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South 1st Street
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25
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · East Central Avenue
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26
Continue on State Highway 9
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9
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27
Continue on Highway 9
1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
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28
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue
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29
Continue on 150th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street
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30
Continue on US Highway 71
5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71
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31
Continue on 18th Street
1757 ft · 54 sec · 18th Street
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32
Turn left onto Hill Avenue
48 m · 5 sec · Hill Avenue
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ankeny and Spirit Lake.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 20 West
Merge slight left
56.1 mi · 01h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Ankeny and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Spirit Lake?
The road trip is about 193.3 miles (311.1 km) and usually takes 04h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.6 miles from Ankeny and 96.7 miles from Spirit Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.6 miles (224.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ankeny and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ankeny and Spirit Lake. Straight-line distance: 139.54 mi (224.56 km).
#1 Ankeny
The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 70,068 |
| Coordinates | 41.7297100, -93.6057700 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Spirit Lake
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,251 |
| Coordinates | 43.4221800, -95.1022200 |
| Altitude | 449 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spirit Lake (-95.10222, 43.42218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.01 | $58.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.74 | $63.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.17 | $72.35 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.