How far is Alta, IA from Storm Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Alta, IA to Storm Lake, IA is about 5 miles (8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 09m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Buena Vista County, 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 Alta and Storm Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alta and Storm Lake.
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1
Start on 60th Avenue
613 ft · 28 sec · 60th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Highway 7
3.3 mi · 5 min · Highway 7
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3
Continue on West Milwaukee Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Milwaukee Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Vestal Street
1120 ft · 55 sec · Vestal Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 5th Street
64 m · 9 sec · West 5th Street
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6
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1225 ft · 54 sec · Grand Avenue
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7
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alta and Storm Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Highway 7
Turn left onto Highway 7
3.32 mi · 00h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Alta and Sunny near Storm Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alta to Storm Lake?
The road trip is about 5 miles (8 km) and usually takes 00h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lakeside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 2.5 miles from Alta and 2.5 miles from Storm Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.64 one way or $1.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Alta and Sunny near Storm Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alta and Storm Lake. Straight-line distance: 4.68 mi (7.53 km).
#1 Alta
City in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,916 |
| Coordinates | 42.6735900, -95.2905500 |
| Altitude | 454 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Storm Lake
City in Iowa
| Population | 10,438 |
| Coordinates | 42.6410900, -95.2097200 |
| Altitude | 433 |
| Country | United States |
End: Storm Lake (-95.20972, 42.64109)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 8 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $0.64 | $1.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $0.72 | $1.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $0.79 | $1.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $0.90 | $1.80 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.