Origin
Spencer, IA
Night in Spencer on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spencer, IA to Des Moines, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
189.4 mi
305 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spencer, IA
Jonas Horsch
Des Moines, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 189.4-mile drive from Spencer, IA to Des Moines, IA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 50 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $30. The primary routes you'll follow are US 20 and I-35, making for a relatively efficient trip through the Midwest. With only one recommended stop and a 74% highway share, this route is designed for getting you to your destination without many detours. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to maximize your time in Des Moines.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.7 miles from Spencer, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 20 | 80.8 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 35 | 54.5 mi | 59m |
| 130th Avenue | 29.1 mi | 39m |
| 215th Avenue | 13.4 mi | 18m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 4 mi | 5m |
| 11th Avenue Southwest | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| County Highway 71 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| 11th Street Southwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 80.8 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Spencer, IA and Des Moines, IA.
1
Start on East 4th Street
70 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 4th Street
2
Turn left onto US 18; US 71
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Turn right onto 4th Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
4th Street Southwest
4
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Southwest
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
4th Avenue Southwest
5
Turn right onto US 71
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
11th Street Southwest
6
Turn left onto US 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Avenue Southwest
7
Continue on US 71
13 mi
·
18 min
·
215th Avenue
8
Continue on US 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
130th Avenue
9
Continue on US 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
County Highway 71
10
Continue on US 71
28 mi
·
37 min
·
130th Avenue
11
Continue on IA 471
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 71
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
13
Merge onto US 20; US 71
81 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
US 20; US 71
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
15
Merge onto I 35
54 mi
·
59 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
17
Continue on John MacVicar Freeway
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
John MacVicar Freeway
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto Pennsylvania Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pennsylvania Avenue
21
Turn left onto East University Avenue
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
East University Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
East University Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 50-minute duration, starting your drive from Spencer, IA in the morning is ideal for arriving in Des Moines with plenty of daylight. You'll want to factor in one stop for fuel and stretching, especially considering the longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.8 miles on US 20. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimated cost suggests efficient travel, but it’s always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. This route is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.7 miles from Spencer, IA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 42 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.7 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Des Moines, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Spencer, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Spencer, IA
This is one driving day of about 189.4 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Spencer, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 20 for about 80.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.7 miles from Spencer, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 47.2 and 188.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
47.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 20 East: Fort Dodge
5
129.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
183.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 235 West: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 235 West: Des Moines
8
188.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, East Village
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 8B
Toward East 6th Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, Ea...
8
188.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward East Village, East 6th Street, Penn Aven...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.61 one way
$59.22 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $32.51 | $65.02 |
| premium | $4.89 | $36.45 | $72.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.82 | $83.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.89 | $9.09 |
| Efficient EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.57 | $7.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.52 | $12.12 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Des Moines, IA
Night in Des Moines on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
20 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the route utilizing high-speed roads like I-35. You'll experience a significant stretch of 80.8 miles on US 20, which offers a more continuous experience before transitioning to the interstate. While the majority of the journey involves standard highway driving, the inclusion of 130th Avenue suggests a brief segment that might offer a slightly different pace. Overall, expect a consistent driving rhythm, punctuated by the efficiency of major roadways.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.8 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 189.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 129.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Arriving in Des Moines, IA
Full guide →Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair and numerous cultural festivals during warm weather months. History enthusiasts will find 110 historic sites in and around the city as part of the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The city appeals to travelers with an interest in the arts who marvel at the architecture of the State Capitol with its five domes, including the large main dome with its gleaming 23-karat gold surface. The city has a good art museum, a symphony that performs in the downtown Civic Center (along with opera, ballet, and other performing arts), and a big annual arts festival that draws visitors from across Iowa and beyond.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 189.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.8 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Des Moines, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 129.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Des Moines, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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