How far is Sioux City, IA from Ottumwa, IA?
The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Ottumwa, IA is about 287.6 miles (462.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 45m 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 05h 22m.
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 Adair and Guthrie Counties in the US state of Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sioux City and Ottumwa.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City and Ottumwa.
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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
1510 ft · 19 sec
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Kansas City
2130 ft · 52 sec · Ramp 72 H
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14
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 4 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
1.3 km · 1 min
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16
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.9 mi · 15 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi · 23 min
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18
Turn left
32.3 mi · 36 min
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19
Take the exit right
2173 ft · 53 sec
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20
Merge slight left
22.8 mi · 26 min
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21
Take the exit slight right
1937 ft · 48 sec
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22
Turn right onto Old US Highway 63
2.6 mi · 3 min · Old US Highway 63
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23
Continue on South Wapello Street
2.2 mi · 3 min · South Wapello Street
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24
Turn left onto West Fourth Street
1163 ft · 27 sec · West Fourth Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Fourth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sioux City and Ottumwa.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sioux City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ottumwa.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sioux City to Ottumwa?
The road trip is about 287.6 miles (462.9 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Adair is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.6 miles from Sioux City and 144 miles from Ottumwa.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229.6 miles (369.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 58 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 6:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sioux City and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ottumwa.
Stop Ideas Near Adair
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 Adair.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and Ottumwa. Straight-line distance: 229.58 mi (369.48 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 Ottumwa
City in Iowa
| Population | 24,375 |
| Coordinates | 41.0200100, -92.4113000 |
| Altitude | 205 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ottumwa (-92.4113, 41.02001)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 463 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.28 | $76.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.17 | $86.34 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.24 | $94.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $53.84 | $107.67 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.