How far is Spirit Lake, IA from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance from Spirit Lake, IA to Des Moines, IA is about 202.3 miles (325.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147 miles (236.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m 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 22m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spirit Lake and Des Moines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spirit Lake and Des Moines.
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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
54.5 mi · 59 min
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29
Keep slight left to continue on I 235 West: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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30
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4 mi · 5 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
1580 ft · 39 sec
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32
Keep slight right to continue on East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
1740 ft · 45 sec
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33
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
1647 ft · 35 sec · Pennsylvania Avenue
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34
Turn left onto East University Avenue
30 m · 9 sec · East University Avenue
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East University Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spirit Lake and Des Moines.
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 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 Spirit Lake and Sunny near Des Moines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spirit Lake to Des Moines?
The road trip is about 202.3 miles (325.6 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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 101 miles from Spirit Lake and 101.3 miles from Des Moines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147 miles (236.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.3 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 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.92 one way or $53.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Spirit Lake and Sunny near Des Moines.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spirit Lake and Des Moines. Straight-line distance: 147.05 mi (236.65 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 Des Moines
The capital of Iowa.
| Population | 212,312 |
| Coordinates | 41.6005400, -93.6091100 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: East University Avenue (-93.609114, 41.600425)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.92 | $53.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.37 | $60.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.23 | $66.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.87 | $75.74 |
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.