How far is Spencer, IA from West Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Spencer, IA to West Des Moines, IA is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.5 miles (210 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 18m 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 03h 09m.
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.
Human settlement in Webster County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spencer and West Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spencer and West Des Moines.
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1
Start on East 4th Street
21 m · 9 sec · East 4th Street
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2
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
2631 ft · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
1691 ft · 39 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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4
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
2608 ft · 56 sec · 4th Avenue Southwest
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5
Turn right onto 11th Street Southwest
2652 ft · 58 sec · 11th Street Southwest
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6
Turn left onto 11th Avenue Southwest
1.5 mi · 2 min · 11th Avenue Southwest
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7
Continue on 215th Avenue
13.4 mi · 18 min · 215th Avenue
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8
Continue on 130th Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · 130th Avenue
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9
Continue on County Highway 71
1.1 mi · 2 min · County Highway 71
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10
Continue on 130th Avenue
27.8 mi · 38 min · 130th Avenue
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11
Continue on US 71
1014 ft · 20 sec · US 71
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12
Take the exit left toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
1841 ft · 51 sec
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13
Merge slight left
49.3 mi · 57 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
1966 ft · 57 sec
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15
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
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17
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 23 min
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18
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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19
Take the exit slight right
2251 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn right onto H Avenue
11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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21
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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22
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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23
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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24
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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25
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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26
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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27
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
1.8 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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28
Take the exit slight right toward I-35 south, I-80 west: Kansas City, Council Bluffs
1.1 km · 1 min
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29
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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30
Keep slight left
2012 ft · 26 sec
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31
Take the exit slight right toward I 235 East: West Des Moines, Des Moines
2327 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 I
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32
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.8 mi · 4 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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33
Take the exit slight right toward Windsor Heights, West Des Moines
2657 ft · 1 min
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34
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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35
Turn left onto Vine Street
143 m · 13 sec · Vine Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Vine Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spencer and West Des Moines.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
49.3 mi · 00h 57m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Spencer and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spencer to West Des Moines?
The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.7 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Moorland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Spencer and 89.2 miles from West Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.5 miles (210 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 10:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.68 one way or $47.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Spencer and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near West Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spencer and West Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 130.51 mi (210.03 km).
#1 Spencer
City in the state of Iowa (United States)
| Population | 10,989 |
| Coordinates | 43.1413600, -95.1444400 |
| Altitude | 400 |
| Country | United States |
#2 West Des Moines
The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
| Population | 69,057 |
| Coordinates | 41.5772100, -93.7113300 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vine Street (-93.71133, 41.577301)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.68 | $47.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.71 | $53.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.31 | $66.62 |
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 · May 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.