How far is Sioux Falls, SD from North Sioux City, SD?

The driving distance from Sioux Falls, SD to North Sioux City, SD is about 81.6 miles (131.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 46m 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
81.64 mi
01h 23m
Flight
71.51 mi
115.09 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sioux Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
71.51 mi
Kilometers
115.09 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.64 mi
Kilometers
131.39 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 01h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Sioux City
Sat, May 30, 11:50 AM CDT
Return by in Sioux Falls
Sat, May 30, 1:13 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sioux Falls
2026-05-30T10:26
Arrive North Sioux City
Sat, May 30, 11:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sioux Falls
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
Emmet
SD

Township in South Dakota, United States

From Sioux Falls
40.8 mi
00h 41m
To North Sioux City
40.8 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sioux Falls and North Sioux City.

  1. 1

    Start on North Chicago Avenue

    540 ft · 29 sec · North Chicago Avenue

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 8th Street

    992 ft · 29 sec · East 8th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Lowell Avenue

    633 ft · 19 sec · North Lowell Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East 10th Street

    132 m · 20 sec · East 10th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 229 South

    1135 ft · 28 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    6.3 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 29 South

    1.2 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    777 ft · 19 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    71.9 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward North Sioux City

    1346 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto River Drive

    1.6 km · 2 min · River Drive

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Military Road

    829 ft · 23 sec · Military Road

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Military Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sioux Falls and North Sioux 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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 South
73.5 mi · 90%
I 229 South
6.56 mi · 8%
River Drive
0.98 mi · 1%
East 8th Street
0.19 mi
Military Road
0.16 mi
North Lowell Avenue
0.12 mi
Longest Stretch

I 29 South

Merge slight left

71.9 mi · 01h 08m

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
01h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.1 mi
71.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Emmet
00h 41m from Sioux Falls
Leave By
3:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sioux Falls and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near North Sioux City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sioux Falls to North Sioux City?

The road trip is about 81.6 miles (131.4 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

Emmet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.8 miles from Sioux Falls and 40.8 miles from North Sioux City.

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

The direct path is about 71.5 miles (115.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 3:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.86 one way or $21.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sioux Falls and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near North Sioux City.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sioux Falls and North Sioux City. Straight-line distance: 71.51 mi (115.09 km).

Sioux Falls

#1 Sioux Falls

The largest city in South Dakota.

Population157,584
Coordinates43.5499700, -96.7003300
Altitude448
CountryUnited States
North Sioux City

#2 North Sioux City

City in Union County South Dakota, United States

Population2,928
Coordinates42.5272200, -96.4830900
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Start: Sioux Falls (-96.70033, 43.54997)
End: North Sioux City (-96.48309, 42.52722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.88 gal
10.91 L · about $10.86
Round trip
$21.72
5.76 gal · 21.82 L
Estimated CO2
25.6 kg one way
Round trip: 51.2 kg / 113 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.86 $21.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.25 $24.50
Premium $4.65 $13.40 $26.81
Diesel $5.30 $15.28 $30.55

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 South Dakota · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Sioux Falls and North Sioux City. The current time is 10:26:41.

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.