How far is Sioux City, IA from Altoona, IA?
The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Altoona, IA is about 212.1 miles (341.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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 03h 55m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sioux City and Altoona.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City and Altoona.
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1
Start on the route
35 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left onto 9th Street
990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street
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3
Turn right onto Court Street
1594 ft · 55 sec · Court Street
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4
Turn left onto 5th Street
794 ft · 29 sec · 5th Street
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5
Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard
1 km · 2 min · Floyd Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 29 South
1588 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
75.6 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1.2 km · 2 min
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9
Continue straight
16 mi · 17 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 km · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight right
94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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13
Keep slight left
6.2 mi · 7 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Bondurant, Altoona
2212 ft · 58 sec
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15
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
2540 ft · 53 sec · 1st Avenue North
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 1st Avenue North
29 m · 2 sec · 1st Avenue North
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17
Exit the roundabout onto 1st Avenue North
1.6 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue North
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sioux City and Altoona.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 East
Merge slight right
94.9 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 Rain Showers leaving Sioux City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sioux City to Altoona?
The road trip is about 212.1 miles (341.4 km) and usually takes 03h 55m 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?
Avoca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.9 miles from Sioux City and 106.2 miles from Altoona.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.7 miles (260.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.4 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 9:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.21 one way or $56.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sioux City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Altoona.
Stop Ideas Near Avoca
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 Avoca.
Omaha
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and Altoona. Straight-line distance: 161.75 mi (260.31 km).
#1 Sioux City
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 82,651 |
| Coordinates | 42.4999900, -96.4003100 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Altoona
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 19,503 |
| Coordinates | 41.6441600, -93.4646600 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
End: Altoona (-93.46466, 41.64416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 341 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.21 | $56.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.81 | $63.62 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.81 | $69.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.67 | $79.35 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.