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

The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Estherville, IA is about 125.2 miles (201.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 100.8 miles (162.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m 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
125.2 mi
02h 43m
Flight
100.82 mi
162.25 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
100.82 mi
Kilometers
162.25 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
125.2 mi
Kilometers
201.49 km
Drive Time
02h 43m

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 02h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Estherville
Thu, Apr 23, 3:48 AM CDT
Return by in Sioux City
Thu, Apr 23, 6:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sioux City
2026-04-23T01:05
Arrive Estherville
Thu, Apr 23, 3:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:04 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
Sheldon
IA

City in Iowa, United States

From Sioux City
62.5 mi
01h 21m
To Estherville
62.6 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 mph SSW
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 29 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    53.5 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 9: Rock Rapids, Spirit Lake

    2073 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Ia 9th Street

    5.4 mi · 7 min · Ia 9th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on County Highway L54

    1 mi · 1 min · County Highway L54

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 9

    9.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 9

  15. 15

    Continue on 150th Street

    10.2 mi · 14 min · 150th Street

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 9

    4.6 mi · 8 min · State Highway 9

  17. 17

    Continue on US Highway 71

    5.5 mi · 8 min · US Highway 71

  18. 18

    Continue on 150th Street

    2 mi · 3 min · 150th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on 1st Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Highway 9

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Highway 9

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 9

    3.3 mi · 5 min · State Highway 9

  22. 22

    Continue on West Central Avenue

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West Central Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South 9th Street

    45 m · 4 sec · South 9th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 9th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
IA 60 North
53.5 mi · 43%
18th Street
21 mi · 17%
State Highway 9
17.8 mi · 14%
150th Street
12.2 mi · 10%
US Highway 71
5.46 mi · 4%
Ia 9th Street
5.43 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

IA 60 North

Continue on IA 60 North: Sheldon

53.5 mi · 01h 02m

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
02h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.4 mi
100.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sheldon
01h 21m from Sioux City
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Sioux City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Estherville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 125.2 miles (201.5 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

Sheldon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.5 miles from Sioux City and 62.6 miles from Estherville.

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

The direct path is about 100.8 miles (162.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.67 one way or $33.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sioux City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Estherville.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and Estherville. Straight-line distance: 100.82 mi (162.25 km).

Sioux City

#1 Sioux City

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population82,651
Coordinates42.4999900, -96.4003100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
Estherville

#2 Estherville

City in Iowa

Population5,587
Coordinates43.4016300, -94.8327600
Altitude395
CountryUnited States
Start: Sioux City (-96.40031, 42.49999)
End: Estherville (-94.83276, 43.40163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 201 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.42 gal
16.72 L · about $16.67
Round trip
$33.34
8.84 gal · 33.44 L
Estimated CO2
39.3 kg one way
Round trip: 78.6 kg / 173 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.67 $33.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.80 $37.60
Premium $4.65 $20.57 $41.14
Diesel $5.30 $23.44 $46.89

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Sioux City and Estherville. The current time is 01:05:16.

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.