Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
21m
Distance
14.6 mi
23 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sanborn, IA
Viridiana Rivera
Mapleside, IA
Alexas Fotos
This short, 14.6-mile journey from Sanborn to Mapleside in Iowa is easily manageable in about 21 minutes, making it perfect as a quick day trip. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $2, this drive is quite budget-friendly. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Silver Avenue, North Rerick Avenue, and 320th Street, offering a true sense of navigating the Midwest landscape. Given its brevity and lack of designated stops, you can complete this entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect a straightforward drive through the heart of Iowa.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Avenue | 11.1 mi | 15m |
| North Rerick Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 320th Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| US-18 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 2nd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sanborn, IA and Mapleside, IA.
Start on East 2nd Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Turn right onto US 18
Continue on US 18
Turn right onto US 59
Continue on US 59
Continue on US 59
Arrive at destination
3 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 1.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 18 / US-18
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 59 / Silver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$2.43 one way
$4.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $2.64 | $5.29 |
| premium | $5.18 | $2.98 | $5.96 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.08 | $6.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.53 | $0.70 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.28 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.04 | $0.93 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Sanborn on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Mapleside on Wednesday
Local time
4:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
The character of this drive is decidedly turn-heavy and local, with only a 2% highway share. You'll be navigating a series of local streets and county roads, primarily on Silver Avenue, North Rerick Avenue, and 320th Street. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 11.1 miles along Silver Avenue, offering a brief period of less frequent turns. This route will feel like an authentic local exploration rather than a high-speed transit, demanding your attention for navigation through its many turns.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Sanborn, IA to Mapleside, IA is easy. At 21m with 2% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (US 18 / US-18): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (US 59 / Silver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
68 ft
Total Descent
165 ft
Highest Point
1,560 ft
~2.1 mi in
Elevation Range
104 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 21m. Total distance: 14.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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