How far is Carson, IA from Carter Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Carson, IA to Carter Lake, IA is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m 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 42m.
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.
Human settlement in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America
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 Carson and Carter Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carson and Carter Lake.
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1
Start on North Mildred Street
1415 ft · 1 min · North Mildred Street
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2
Turn right onto Highway Street
1217 ft · 20 sec · Highway Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 92
9.7 mi · 15 min · State Highway 92
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4
Continue on East Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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5
Continue on State Highway 92
10.6 mi · 15 min · State Highway 92
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 29 North
1529 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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8
Continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2 mi · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 480 West, US 6 West
1.7 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward 14th Street, Old Market District, Creighton University
1472 ft · 40 sec
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11
Turn right onto North 14th Street
1994 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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12
Turn right onto Izard Street
1113 ft · 31 sec · Izard Street
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13
Continue on North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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14
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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15
Turn left onto North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 9th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carson and Carter 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.
State Highway 92
Continue on State Highway 92
10.6 mi · 00h 15m
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 Carson and Sunny near Carter Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carson to Carter Lake?
The road trip is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Treynor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Carson and 16.1 miles from Carter Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 7:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.26 one way or $8.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carson and Sunny near Carter Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Treynor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Treynor.
Omaha
Lincoln
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carson and Carter Lake. Straight-line distance: 26.23 mi (42.22 km).
#1 Carson
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 813 |
| Coordinates | 41.2366600, -95.4180600 |
| Altitude | 351 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 9th Street (-95.918054, 41.29055)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.26 | $8.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.81 | $9.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.26 | $10.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.99 | $11.99 |
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.