How far is Spirit Lake, IA from Urbandale, IA?
The driving distance from Spirit Lake, IA to Urbandale, IA is about 186.3 miles (299.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 47m 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 23m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Spirit Lake and Urbandale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spirit Lake and Urbandale.
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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
24.2 mi · 28 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward US 169
1966 ft · 57 sec
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28
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.2 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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29
Turn left onto 360th Street
3.9 mi · 5 min · 360th Street
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30
Take the exit slight right
16.2 mi · 23 min
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31
Turn left onto 220th Street
3.7 mi · 5 min · 220th Street
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32
Take the exit slight right
2251 ft · 1 min
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33
Turn right onto H Avenue
11.4 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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34
Continue on N Avenue
1.9 mi · 3 min · N Avenue
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35
Take the exit left toward IA 141 east: Urbandale
1677 ft · 46 sec
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36
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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37
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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38
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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39
Continue on Grimes Boulevard
3087 ft · 50 sec · Grimes Boulevard
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40
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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41
Continue on Northwest Urbandale Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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42
Turn left onto Meredith Drive
2.8 mi · 5 min · Meredith Drive
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43
Turn right onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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44
Turn left onto Maryland Drive
4 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
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45
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maryland Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Spirit Lake and Urbandale.
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
24.2 mi · 00h 28m
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 Urbandale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Spirit Lake to Urbandale?
The road trip is about 186.3 miles (299.9 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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 93.2 miles from Spirit Lake and 93.1 miles from Urbandale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142.9 miles (229.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.4 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 10:12 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.81 one way or $49.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Spirit Lake and Sunny near Urbandale.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Spirit Lake and Urbandale. Straight-line distance: 142.83 mi (229.86 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 Urbandale
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 44,650 |
| Coordinates | 41.6266600, -93.7121700 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
End: Maryland Drive (-93.71217, 41.626694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 300 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.81 | $49.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.98 | $55.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $30.62 | $61.25 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
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.