How far is Spirit Lake, IA from Ames, IA?
The driving distance from Spirit Lake, IA to Ames, IA is about 167.4 miles (269.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 and county seat of Calhoun County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spirit Lake and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spirit Lake and Ames.
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1
Start on Hill Avenue
48 m · 9 sec · Hill Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 18th Street
1757 ft · 47 sec · 18th Street
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3
Continue on US Highway 71
5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71
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4
Continue on 150th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street
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5
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue
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6
Continue on Highway 9
1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
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7
Continue on State Highway 9
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9
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8
Continue on West Central Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · West Central Avenue
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9
Turn right onto South 1st Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South 1st Street
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10
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 4
5.9 mi · 9 min · State Highway 4
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11
Continue on State Highway 4
4.7 mi · 6 min · State Highway 4
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12
Continue on 420th Avenue
8.9 mi · 13 min · 420th Avenue
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13
Turn left onto 360th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 360th Street
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14
Continue on 450th Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · 450th Avenue
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15
Continue on Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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16
Turn right onto Broadway Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Broadway Street
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17
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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18
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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19
Continue on Northwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 7th Street
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20
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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21
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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22
Continue on North East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North East Street
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23
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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24
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · Marshall Avenue
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25
Take the ramp left toward US 20 East
1749 ft · 48 sec
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26
Merge slight left
55.7 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.1 km · 1 min
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28
Merge slight left
28.1 mi · 30 min
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29
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business: USDA Veterinary Labs
2063 ft · 51 sec
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30
Turn right onto East 13th Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East 13th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spirit Lake and Ames.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 20 East
Merge slight left
55.7 mi · 01h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Spirit Lake and Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spirit Lake to Ames?
The road trip is about 167.4 miles (269.4 km) and usually takes 02h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Rockwell City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.3 miles from Spirit Lake and 81.1 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.9 miles (196.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.29 one way or $44.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Spirit Lake and Sunny near Ames.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spirit Lake and Ames. Straight-line distance: 121.86 mi (196.11 km).
#1 Spirit Lake
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,251 |
| Coordinates | 43.4221800, -95.1022200 |
| Altitude | 449 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
The most populous city in Story County, Iowa.
| Population | 67,033 |
| Coordinates | 42.0347100, -93.6199400 |
| Altitude | 287 |
| Country | United States |
End: 13th Street (-93.619967, 42.034517)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.29 | $44.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.14 | $50.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.51 | $55.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.35 | $62.69 |
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.