How far is Urbandale, IA from Spencer, IA?
The driving distance from Urbandale, IA to Spencer, IA is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.6 miles (205.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 45m 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 52m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Urbandale and Spencer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Urbandale and Spencer.
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1
Start on Maryland Drive
4 m · 3 sec · Maryland Drive
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2
Turn right onto 70th Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · 70th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Meredith Drive
2.8 mi · 5 min · Meredith Drive
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4
Turn right onto Northwest Urbandale Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Northwest Urbandale Drive
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5
Continue on Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.6 mi · 4 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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6
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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7
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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8
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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9
Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
1910 ft · 55 sec
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10
Turn right onto N Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
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11
Continue on H Avenue
11.6 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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12
Take the exit right
1363 ft · 38 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto 220th Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · 220th Street
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14
Turn right onto D Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue
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15
Continue on Paragon Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 360th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street
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17
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.3 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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18
Turn left onto US 20 West
1823 ft · 50 sec
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19
Merge slight left
49.4 mi · 57 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward IA 471 South, US 71 NORTH: Early, Storm Lake
1974 ft · 57 sec
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21
Turn right
45.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min
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22
Turn right onto 11th Street Southwest
2694 ft · 1 min · 11th Street Southwest
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23
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
2608 ft · 54 sec · 4th Avenue Southwest
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
1691 ft · 41 sec · 4th Street Southwest
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25
Turn left onto South Grand Avenue
2631 ft · 2 min · South Grand Avenue
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26
Turn right onto East 4th Street
21 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Urbandale and Spencer.
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
49.4 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Urbandale and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Spencer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Urbandale to Spencer?
The road trip is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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 87.1 miles from Urbandale and 87.1 miles from Spencer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.6 miles (205.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.6 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 9:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.19 one way or $46.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Urbandale and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Spencer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Urbandale and Spencer. Straight-line distance: 127.65 mi (205.43 km).
#1 Urbandale
A city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 44,650 |
| Coordinates | 41.6266600, -93.7121700 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Spencer
City in the state of Iowa (United States)
| Population | 10,989 |
| Coordinates | 43.1413600, -95.1444400 |
| Altitude | 400 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spencer (-95.14444, 43.14136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.19 | $46.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.16 | $52.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.62 | $57.24 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.62 | $65.24 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.