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

The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Alton, IA is about 41.2 miles (66.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.1 miles (62.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
41.2 mi
00h 55m
Flight
39.06 mi
62.86 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sioux City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.06 mi
Kilometers
62.86 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.2 mi
Kilometers
66.31 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alton
Wed, Apr 15, 7:21 PM CDT
Return by in Sioux City
Wed, Apr 15, 8:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sioux City
2026-04-15T18:26
Arrive Alton
Wed, Apr 15, 7:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sioux City
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Merrill
IA

City in Plymouth County, Iowa

From Sioux City
20.6 mi
00h 27m
To Alton
20.6 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
72°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    35 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    990 ft · 49 sec · 9th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Court Street

    793 ft · 27 sec · Court Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 11th Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · 11th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left

    1128 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on Terminal Drive

    2076 ft · 53 sec · Terminal Drive

  7. 7

    Turn right onto 18th Street

    73 m · 9 sec · 18th Street

  8. 8

    Turn left

    3.3 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the ramp straight

    21 mi · 26 min

  10. 10

    Continue on IA 60 North: Sheldon

    13.2 mi · 15 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Alton

    2542 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 3rd Avenue

    1.5 mi · 3 min · 3rd Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West 10th Street

    48 m · 9 sec · West 10th Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    34 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
15 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
18th Street
21 mi · 51%
IA 60 North
13.7 mi · 33%
3rd Avenue
1.49 mi · 4%
11th Street
0.67 mi · 2%
Terminal Drive
0.39 mi · 1%
9th Street
0.19 mi
Longest Stretch

18th Street

Take the ramp straight

21 mi · 00h 26m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.1 mi
39.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Merrill
00h 27m from Sioux City
Leave By
4:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Sioux City and Chance Rain Showers near Alton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 41.2 miles (66.3 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Merrill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.6 miles from Sioux City and 20.6 miles from Alton.

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

The direct path is about 39.1 miles (62.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 4:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.47 one way or $10.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sioux City and Chance Rain Showers near Alton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and Alton. Straight-line distance: 39.06 mi (62.86 km).

Sioux City

#1 Sioux City

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population82,651
Coordinates42.4999900, -96.4003100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Alton

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

Population1,249
Coordinates42.9874900, -96.0105700
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
Start: Sioux City (-96.40031, 42.49999)
End: Alton (-96.01057, 42.98749)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.45 gal
5.5 L · about $5.47
Round trip
$10.94
2.9 gal · 11 L
Estimated CO2
12.9 kg one way
Round trip: 25.8 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.47 $10.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.17 $12.33
Premium $4.65 $6.75 $13.50
Diesel $5.30 $7.69 $15.38

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Sioux City and Alton. The current time is 18:26:43.

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.