How far is Ottumwa, IA from Sioux City, IA?
The driving distance from Ottumwa, IA to Sioux City, IA is about 292 miles (469.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the US state of Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ottumwa and Sioux City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ottumwa and Sioux City.
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1
Start on West Fourth Street
1124 ft · 29 sec · West Fourth Street
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2
Turn right onto North Wapello Street
121 m · 5 sec · North Wapello Street
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3
Continue on Old US Highway 63
4.8 mi · 6 min · Old US Highway 63
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4
Turn left
1752 ft · 43 sec
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5
Merge slight left
22.8 mi · 26 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
2175 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn left onto A Avenue West
32.4 mi · 36 min · A Avenue West
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8
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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9
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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10
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
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14
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
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15
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
16.7 mi · 18 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2271 ft · 39 sec
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18
Merge slight left
75.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
1582 ft · 43 sec
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20
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
3174 ft · 1 min · South Floyd Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto 5th Street
121 m · 15 sec · 5th Street
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22
Turn right onto Iowa Street
105 m · 7 sec · Iowa Street
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23
Keep slight left to continue on 6th Street
130 m · 17 sec · 6th Street
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24
Turn right onto Court Street
1199 ft · 39 sec · Court Street
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25
Turn left onto 9th Street
990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street
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26
Turn right
35 m · 9 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ottumwa and Sioux City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 01h 42m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ottumwa and 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 Ottumwa to Sioux City?
The road trip is about 292 miles (469.9 km) and usually takes 04h 25m 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?
Adair is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.7 miles from Ottumwa and 148.4 miles from Sioux City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.84 one way or $77.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ottumwa and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux City.
Stop Ideas Near Adair
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 Adair.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ottumwa and Sioux City. Straight-line distance: 229.58 mi (369.48 km).
#1 Ottumwa
City in Iowa
| Population | 24,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0200100, -92.4113000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sioux City
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 82,651 |
| Coordinates | 42.4999900, -96.4003100 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-96.400135, 42.499991)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 470 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.84 | $77.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.81 | $87.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.94 | $95.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.63 | $109.26 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.