How far is Columbus Junction, IA from Sioux City, IA?

The driving distance from Columbus Junction, IA to Sioux City, IA is about 323.5 miles (520.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 272.5 miles (438.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 11m 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
323.57 mi
05h 05m
Flight
272.52 mi
438.58 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbus Junction.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
272.52 mi
Kilometers
438.58 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Road route
323.57 mi
Kilometers
520.73 km
Drive Time
05h 05m

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 05h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sioux City
Sat, May 30, 11:48 AM CDT
Return by in Columbus Junction
Sat, May 30, 4:54 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus Junction
2026-05-30T06:43
Arrive Sioux City
Sat, May 30, 11:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:06 AM to 1:06 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
6:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbus Junction
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Owasa
IA

Human settlement in Hardin County, Iowa, United States of America

From Columbus Junction
161.6 mi
02h 32m
To Sioux City
162 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Saturday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph E
Destination
84°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus Junction and Sioux City.

  1. 1

    Start on Walnut Street

    1377 ft · 54 sec · Walnut Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight left to continue on Western Access Road

    767 ft · 34 sec · Western Access Road

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Oak Street

    127 m · 7 sec · Oak Street

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 92

    8.6 mi · 13 min · State Highway 92

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1577 ft · 43 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints

    101 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Avenue of the Saints

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Avenue of the Saints

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

  8. 8

    Continue on 160th Street

    6.4 mi · 7 min · 160th Street

  9. 9

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    1.9 mi · 3 min · United States Highway 20

  10. 10

    Continue on Highway 20

    42.9 mi · 53 min · Highway 20

  11. 11

    Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

    3033 ft · 1 min · South Fairmount Street

  12. 12

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Court Street

    1199 ft · 39 sec · Court Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    35 m · 9 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Avenue of the Saints
261 mi · 81%
Highway 20
42.9 mi · 13%
State Highway 92
8.91 mi · 3%
160th Street
6.44 mi · 2%
United States Highway 20
1.87 mi · 1%
6th Street
0.93 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
05h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51 mi
272.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Owasa
02h 32m from Columbus Junction
Leave By
6:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Columbus Junction and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbus Junction to Sioux City?

The road trip is about 323.5 miles (520.7 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?

Owasa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.6 miles from Columbus Junction and 162 miles from Sioux City.

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

The direct path is about 272.5 miles (438.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 51 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 6:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.06 one way or $86.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Columbus Junction and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus Junction and Sioux City. Straight-line distance: 272.52 mi (438.58 km).

Columbus Junction

#1 Columbus Junction

City in Louisa County, Iowa, United States

Population1,810
Coordinates41.2800300, -91.3607100
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Sioux City

#2 Sioux City

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population82,651
Coordinates42.4999900, -96.4003100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Start: Walnut Street (-91.360709, 41.280104)
End: (-96.400135, 42.499991)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 521 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 05m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.42 gal
43.22 L · about $43.06
Round trip
$86.13
22.84 gal · 86.44 L
Estimated CO2
101.5 kg one way
Round trip: 203 kg / 448 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $43.06 $86.13
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.57 $97.14
Premium $4.65 $53.15 $106.30
Diesel $5.30 $60.57 $121.14

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus Junction and Sioux City. The current time is 06:43:15.

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.