How far is Sioux City, IA from University Heights, IA?

The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to University Heights, IA is about 289.9 miles (466.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 25m 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
289.93 mi
05h 42m
Flight
255.12 mi
410.58 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
255.12 mi
Kilometers
410.58 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
289.93 mi
Kilometers
466.6 km
Drive Time
05h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in University Heights
Sun, May 31, 1:30 AM CDT
Return by in Sioux City
Sun, May 31, 7:13 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sioux City
2026-05-30T19:47
Arrive University Heights
Sun, May 31, 1:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:43 AM to 1:43 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
5:34 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
Blairsburg
IA

Township in Hamilton County, Iowa

From Sioux City
144.7 mi
02h 51m
To University Heights
145.3 mi
02h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 4:00 PM CDT
Wind
15 mph ESE
Destination
83°F
This Afternoon

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 5:00 PM CDT
Wind
15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City and University Heights.

  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

    165.9 mi · 3 hr 11 min · 220th Street

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Avenue of the Saints

    68.3 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Avenue of the Saints

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    1810 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Melrose Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · Melrose Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Sunset Street

    79 m · 14 sec · Sunset Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Koser Avenue

    761 ft · 35 sec · Koser Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Koser Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
220th Street
166 mi · 57%
Avenue of the Saints
68.6 mi · 24%
Highway 20
39.4 mi · 14%
United States Highway 20
8.31 mi · 3%
Gordon Drive
3.45 mi · 1%
Melrose Avenue
2.11 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

220th Street

Continue on 220th Street

166 mi · 03h 11m

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
05h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.8 mi
255.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Blairsburg
02h 51m from Sioux City
Leave By
5:34 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sioux City and Partly Sunny near University Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sioux City to University Heights?

The road trip is about 289.9 miles (466.6 km) and usually takes 05h 42m 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?

Blairsburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.7 miles from Sioux City and 145.3 miles from University Heights.

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

The direct path is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 5:34 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.58 one way or $77.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sioux City and Partly Sunny near University Heights.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sioux City and University Heights. Straight-line distance: 255.12 mi (410.58 km).

Sioux City

#1 Sioux City

The second most populous city in Iowa.

Population82,651
Coordinates42.4999900, -96.4003100
Altitude366
CountryUnited States
University Heights

#2 University Heights

Town in Johnson County, Iowa, United States

Population1,025
Coordinates41.6550200, -91.5568400
Altitude233
CountryUnited States
Start: Sioux City (-96.40031, 42.49999)
End: University Heights (-91.55684, 41.65502)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 467 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.23 gal
38.73 L · about $38.58
Round trip
$77.15
20.46 gal · 77.46 L
Estimated CO2
90.9 kg one way
Round trip: 181.8 kg / 401 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $38.58 $77.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.51 $87.02
Premium $4.65 $47.61 $95.22
Diesel $5.30 $54.26 $108.52

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

There is no time difference between Sioux City and University Heights. The current time is 19:47:18.

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.