How far is Sioux City, IA from Clear Lake, IA?
The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Clear Lake, IA is about 199.6 miles (321.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 51m 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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sioux City and Clear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City and Clear Lake.
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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
767 ft · 27 sec · Court Street
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4
Turn left onto 7th Street
122 m · 19 sec · 7th Street
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5
Turn right onto Iowa Street
129 m · 24 sec · Iowa Street
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6
Turn left onto 6th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · 6th Street
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7
Continue on Fairmount Street
3030 ft · 1 min · Fairmount Street
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8
Turn left onto Gordon Drive
3.4 mi · 7 min · Gordon Drive
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9
Continue on Highway 20
39.4 mi · 47 min · Highway 20
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10
Continue on United States Highway 20
8.3 mi · 10 min · United States Highway 20
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11
Continue on 220th Street
93.8 mi · 1 hr 48 min · 220th Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Mason City
1647 ft · 56 sec
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13
Merge slight left
50.5 mi · 54 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business, CR B35: Clear Lake, Mason City
1386 ft · 40 sec
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15
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue South
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16
Turn right onto South 8th Street
1671 ft · 34 sec · South 8th Street
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17
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
57 m · 14 sec · 1st Avenue North
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18
Turn left onto North 6th Street
24 m · 4 sec · North 6th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sioux City and Clear Lake.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
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 Partly Sunny near Clear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sioux City to Clear Lake?
The road trip is about 199.6 miles (321.2 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?
Knierim is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.6 miles from Sioux City and 100 miles from Clear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.3 miles (256.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.3 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 9:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.55 one way or $53.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sioux City and Partly Sunny near Clear Lake.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and Clear Lake. Straight-line distance: 159.31 mi (256.39 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 Clear Lake
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,517 |
| Coordinates | 43.1380200, -93.3793700 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clear Lake (-93.37937, 43.13802)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 321 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.55 | $53.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.76 | $65.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.34 | $74.68 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.