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

The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Charles City, IA is about 232.4 miles (374 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 13m 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
232.42 mi
04h 36m
Flight
193.03 mi
310.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sioux City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
193.03 mi
Kilometers
310.65 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
232.42 mi
Kilometers
374.04 km
Drive Time
04h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charles City
Tue, Jun 2, 12:54 PM CDT
Return by in Sioux City
Tue, Jun 2, 5:31 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sioux City
2026-06-02T08:18
Arrive Charles City
Tue, Jun 2, 12:54 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 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
7:46 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sioux 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
Otho
IA

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

From Sioux City
116 mi
02h 18m
To Charles City
116.4 mi
02h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
53°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, Jun 2 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    35 m · 14 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 9th Street

    990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Court Street

    767 ft · 27 sec · Court Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 7th Street

    122 m · 19 sec · 7th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Iowa Street

    129 m · 24 sec · Iowa Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 6th Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Fairmount Street

    3030 ft · 1 min · Fairmount Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Gordon Drive

    3.4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Drive

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 20

    39.4 mi · 47 min · Highway 20

  10. 10

    Continue on United States Highway 20

    8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20

  11. 11

    Continue on 220th Street

    93.8 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Mason City

    1647 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    47.4 mi · 51 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 18 East, IA 27 South: Mason City, Charles City

    1 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    32.9 mi · 38 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 218 Business, CR B35: Charles City

    1513 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 185th Street

    1559 ft · 24 sec · 185th Street

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Gilbert Street

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1198 ft · 39 sec · Main Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Clark Street

    1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Brantingham Street

    789 ft · 24 sec · Brantingham Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
93.8 mi · 40%
I 35 North
47.8 mi · 21%
Highway 20
39.4 mi · 17%
US 18 East
34 mi · 15%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 4%
Gordon Drive
3.45 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

93.8 mi · 01h 48m

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 36m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.3 mi
193.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otho
02h 18m from Sioux City
Leave By
7:46 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sioux City and Partly Cloudy near Charles City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 232.4 miles (374 km) and usually takes 04h 36m 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?

Otho is a useful midpoint, sitting about 116 miles from Sioux City and 116.4 miles from Charles City.

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

The direct path is about 193.1 miles (310.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.3 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 7:46 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.92 one way or $61.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sioux City and Partly Cloudy near Charles City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and Charles City. Straight-line distance: 193.03 mi (310.65 km).

Sioux City

#1 Sioux City

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population82,651
Coordinates42.4999900, -96.4003100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Charles City

#2 Charles City

City in Iowa

Population7,307
Coordinates43.0663600, -92.6724100
Altitude307
CountryUnited States
Start: Sioux City (-96.40031, 42.49999)
End: Charles City (-92.67241, 43.06636)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 374 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.2 gal
31.05 L · about $30.92
Round trip
$61.84
16.4 gal · 62.1 L
Estimated CO2
72.9 kg one way
Round trip: 145.7 kg / 321 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.92 $61.84
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.87 $69.75
Premium $4.65 $38.16 $76.33
Diesel $5.30 $43.49 $86.99

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Sioux City and Charles City. The current time is 08:18:20.

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.