How far is Waukee, IA from Spencer, IA?
The driving distance from Waukee, IA to Spencer, IA is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.7 miles (199.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waukee and Spencer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waukee and Spencer.
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1
Start on Ashworth Drive
43 m · 7 sec · Ashworth Drive
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
1076 ft · 32 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn left onto Hickman Road
3.9 mi · 5 min · Hickman Road
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4
Continue on 290th Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · 290th Street
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5
Continue on Greene Street
1 km · 1 min · Greene Street
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6
Turn right onto Nile Kinnick Drive South
3226 ft · 2 min · Nile Kinnick Drive South
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7
Continue on North Avenue
2089 ft · 36 sec · North Avenue
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8
Continue on N Avenue
8.7 mi · 12 min · N Avenue
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9
Continue on 4th Street
2486 ft · 59 sec · 4th Street
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10
Continue on N Avenue
7 mi · 10 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 Waukee and Spencer.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
Sunny leaving Waukee and Sunny near Spencer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waukee to Spencer?
The road trip is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km) and usually takes 03h 47m 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 84.9 miles from Waukee and 84.9 miles from Spencer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.7 miles (199.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 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 9:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.59 one way or $45.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waukee and Sunny near Spencer.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waukee and Spencer. Straight-line distance: 123.7 mi (199.07 km).
#1 Waukee
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 26,166 |
| Coordinates | 41.6116600, -93.8852300 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| 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: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.48 | $50.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.88 | $55.75 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
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.