How far is Central City, IA from Sioux City, IA?

The driving distance from Central City, IA to Sioux City, IA is about 264.3 miles (425.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 249.8 miles (402 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
264.29 mi
04h 13m
Flight
249.79 mi
402 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Central City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
249.79 mi
Kilometers
402 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
264.29 mi
Kilometers
425.33 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sioux City
Thu, Apr 23, 12:46 AM CDT
Return by in Central City
Thu, Apr 23, 4:59 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Central City
2026-04-22T20:32
Arrive Sioux City
Thu, Apr 23, 12:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Central City
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Webster City
IA

City in Iowa

From Central City
132 mi
02h 06m
To Sioux City
132.3 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Central City and Sioux City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Central City and Sioux City.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1254 ft · 51 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Maple Street

    911 ft · 33 sec · West Maple Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Marion Road

    2745 ft · 49 sec · Marion Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Central City Road

    12.4 mi · 17 min · Central City Road

  5. 5

    Continue on East Grubbs Street

    2903 ft · 2 min · East Grubbs Street

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Franklin Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · Franklin Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Lewis Access Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Lewis Access Road

  8. 8

    Take the ramp right

    1887 ft · 46 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    35 mi · 38 min · Avenue of the Saints

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    160.2 mi · 3 hr 5 min · Avenue of the Saints

  11. 11

    Continue on 160th Street

    6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street

  12. 12

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    1.9 mi · 3 min · United States Highway 20

  13. 13

    Continue on Highway 20

    42.9 mi · 53 min · Highway 20

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

    3033 ft · 1 min · South Fairmount Street

  15. 15

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Court Street

    1199 ft · 39 sec · Court Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    35 m · 9 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Central City and Sioux City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
195 mi · 74%
Highway 20
42.9 mi · 16%
Central City Road
12.4 mi · 5%
160th Street
6.44 mi · 2%
United States Highway 20
1.87 mi · 1%
Franklin Street
1.2 mi
Longest Stretch

Avenue of the Saints

Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

160 mi · 03h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
249.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Webster City
02h 06m from Central City
Leave By
8:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Central City and Sunny near Sioux City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Central City to Sioux City?

The road trip is about 264.3 miles (425.3 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?

Webster City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132 miles from Central City and 132.3 miles from Sioux City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 249.8 miles (402 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 8:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.18 one way or $70.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Central City and Sunny near Sioux City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Central City and Sioux City. Straight-line distance: 249.79 mi (402 km).

Central City

#1 Central City

City in Iowa, USA

Population1,296
Coordinates42.2038800, -91.5240600
Altitude254
CountryUnited States
Sioux City

#2 Sioux City

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population82,651
Coordinates42.4999900, -96.4003100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-91.524057, 42.204007)
End: (-96.400135, 42.499991)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 425 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.33 gal
35.3 L · about $35.18
Round trip
$70.37
18.66 gal · 70.6 L
Estimated CO2
82.9 kg one way
Round trip: 165.8 kg / 366 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.18 $70.37
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.68 $79.36
Premium $4.65 $43.42 $86.84
Diesel $5.30 $49.49 $98.97

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

There is no time difference between Central City and Sioux City. The current time is 20:32:41.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.