How far is Carter Lake, IA from Carson, IA?
The driving distance from Carter Lake, IA to Carson, IA is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.2 miles (42.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carter Lake and Carson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carter Lake and Carson.
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1
Start on North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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2
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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3
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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4
Continue on Izard Street
1113 ft · 38 sec · Izard Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 14th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 480 East
1781 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1.4 km · 1 min · Gerald R Ford Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 South: Kansas City
1483 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 275, IA 92: Lake Manawa State Park
1686 ft · 46 sec
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11
Turn right onto East Veterans Memorial Highway
119 m · 7 sec · East Veterans Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on State Highway 92
10.7 mi · 15 min · State Highway 92
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13
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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14
Continue on State Highway 92
9.7 mi · 15 min · State Highway 92
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15
Continue on Highway Street
1217 ft · 26 sec · Highway Street
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16
Turn left onto South Mildred Street
1415 ft · 1 min · South Mildred Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Mildred Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carter Lake and Carson.
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
10.7 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Carter Lake and Sunny near Carson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carter Lake to Carson?
The road trip is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km) and usually takes 00h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Treynor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from Carter Lake and 16.3 miles from Carson.
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 6.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.34 one way or $8.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carter Lake and Sunny near Carson.
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 Carter Lake and Carson. Straight-line distance: 26.23 mi (42.22 km).
#1 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carson
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 813 |
| Coordinates | 41.2366600, -95.4180600 |
| Altitude | 351 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carson (-95.41806, 41.23666)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 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 | $4.34 | $8.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.89 | $9.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.35 | $10.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.10 | $12.20 |
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.