How far is West Des Moines, IA from Spirit Lake, IA?
The driving distance from West Des Moines, IA to Spirit Lake, IA is about 190.6 miles (306.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.8 miles (234.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 46m 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 04h 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.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Des Moines and Spirit Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Des Moines and Spirit Lake.
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1
Start on Vine Street
143 m · 15 sec · Vine Street
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2
Turn right onto 8th Street
1 mi · 2 min · 8th Street
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3
Continue on 73rd Street
1465 ft · 36 sec · 73rd Street
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4
Take the ramp left toward I-235 west
1686 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · John MacVicar Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North, I 80 East: Minneapolis, Chicago
2325 ft · 57 sec · Ramp 72 E
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7
Merge slight left onto I-35 north, I-80 east: Chicago, Minneapolis
3.4 mi · 4 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward IA 141 West: Grimes
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Southeast Grimes Boulevard
2.3 mi · 3 min · Southeast Grimes Boulevard
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10
Continue on Northeast Grimes Boulevard
1.6 km · 1 min · Northeast Grimes Boulevard
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11
Continue on Northwest 114th Street
2.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest 114th Street
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12
Continue on Northwest Granger Drive
15.6 mi · 19 min · Northwest Granger Drive
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13
Take the exit straight toward US 169: Ogden, Adel
1910 ft · 55 sec
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14
Turn right onto N Avenue
1.8 mi · 2 min · N Avenue
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15
Continue on H Avenue
11.6 mi · 16 min · H Avenue
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16
Take the exit right
1363 ft · 38 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto 220th Street
4.1 mi · 6 min · 220th Street
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18
Turn right onto D Avenue
12.1 mi · 17 min · D Avenue
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19
Continue on Paragon Avenue
4 mi · 6 min · Paragon Avenue
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20
Turn left onto 360th Street
4 mi · 6 min · 360th Street
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21
Turn right onto Lainson Avenue
12.3 mi · 17 min · Lainson Avenue
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22
Turn left onto US 20 West
1823 ft · 50 sec
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23
Merge slight left
24.2 mi · 28 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward IA 4: Rockwell City, Pocahontas
2133 ft · 1 min
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25
Turn right onto Marshall Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · Marshall Avenue
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26
Keep slight left to continue on Marshall Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · Marshall Avenue
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27
Continue on Marengo Avenue
4.3 mi · 6 min · Marengo Avenue
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28
Continue on South East Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South East Street
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29
Continue on Marengo Avenue
2317 ft · 39 sec · Marengo Avenue
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30
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.5 mi · 16 min · 220th Avenue
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31
Continue on Southwest 7th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · Southwest 7th Street
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32
Continue on 220th Avenue
11.1 mi · 15 min · 220th Avenue
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33
Continue on 460th Avenue
13 mi · 18 min · 460th Avenue
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34
Continue on Broadway Street
1.6 km · 3 min · Broadway Street
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35
Turn left onto Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street
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36
Continue on 450th Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · 450th Avenue
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37
Continue on 360th Street
2.9 mi · 4 min · 360th Street
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38
Turn right onto 420th Avenue
8.9 mi · 12 min · 420th Avenue
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39
Continue on State Highway 4
10.6 mi · 15 min · State Highway 4
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40
Turn left onto South 1st Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South 1st Street
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41
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · East Central Avenue
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42
Continue on State Highway 9
3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9
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43
Continue on Highway 9
1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9
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44
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue
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45
Continue on 150th Street
2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street
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46
Continue on US Highway 71
5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71
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47
Continue on 18th Street
1757 ft · 54 sec · 18th Street
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48
Turn left onto Hill Avenue
48 m · 5 sec · Hill Avenue
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49
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Des Moines and Spirit Lake.
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
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 West Des Moines and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Des Moines to Spirit Lake?
The road trip is about 190.6 miles (306.7 km) and usually takes 04h 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 95.3 miles from West Des Moines and 95.3 miles from Spirit Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.8 miles (234.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.8 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 8:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.38 one way or $50.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around West Des Moines and Sunny near Spirit Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Des Moines and Spirit Lake. Straight-line distance: 145.84 mi (234.7 km).
#1 West Des Moines
The most populous city in Dallas County, Iowa.
| Population | 69,057 |
| Coordinates | 41.5772100, -93.7113300 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Spirit Lake
City in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,251 |
| Coordinates | 43.4221800, -95.1022200 |
| Altitude | 449 |
| Country | United States |
End: Spirit Lake (-95.10222, 43.42218)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.62 | $57.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.32 | $62.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
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.