How far is Fairbury, NE from South Sioux City, NE?

The driving distance from Fairbury, NE to South Sioux City, NE is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 166.3 miles (267.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m 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
196.75 mi
03h 21m
Flight
166.28 mi
267.6 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairbury.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
166.28 mi
Kilometers
267.6 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.75 mi
Kilometers
316.64 km
Drive Time
03h 21m

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 03h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in South Sioux City
Fri, May 1, 6:12 PM CDT
Return by in Fairbury
Fri, May 1, 9:34 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairbury
2026-05-01T14:51
Arrive South Sioux City
Fri, May 1, 6:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:18 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairbury
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
Wahoo
NE

City in Saunders County, Nebraska, United States

From Fairbury
98.3 mi
01h 40m
To South Sioux City
98.5 mi
01h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
2 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
59°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fairbury and South Sioux City.

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    2638 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto K Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · K Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Highway 15

    34.2 mi · 41 min · Highway 15

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Highway 6

    5.9 mi · 7 min · Highway 6

  5. 5

    Continue on 294th Road

    4.7 mi · 5 min · 294th Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Highway 6

    2186 ft · 29 sec · Highway 6

  7. 7

    Continue on Pioneers Road

    1.1 km · 51 sec · Pioneers Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 280th Road

    3.4 mi · 4 min · 280th Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 80 East: Lincoln

    1675 ft · 41 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    26 mi · 31 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 77 North: Fremont, Wahoo

    1893 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North 56th Street

    11.1 mi · 12 min · North 56th Street

  13. 13

    Continue on South Highway 77

    555 ft · 10 sec · South Highway 77

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road 18

    2.2 mi · 2 min · County Road 18

  15. 15

    Continue on Highway 77

    11.6 mi · 13 min · Highway 77

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road M

    66 m · 3 sec · County Road M

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto County Road M

    5.2 mi · 6 min · County Road M

  18. 18

    Turn left onto County Road 11

    11.6 mi · 14 min · County Road 11

  19. 19

    Continue on Highway 77

    3041 ft · 43 sec · Highway 77

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Broad Street

    104 m · 5 sec · South Broad Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto South Broad Street

    3.4 mi · 8 min · South Broad Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Highway 77

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Highway 77

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward US 77

    16.8 mi · 20 min

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Charde Avenue

    58 m · 3 sec · Charde Avenue

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout onto Charde Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Charde Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on Highway 77

    26.7 mi · 31 min · Highway 77

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Bluff Street

    38 m · 6 sec · South Bluff Street

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto South Bluff Street

    3031 ft · 1 min · South Bluff Street

  29. 29

    Continue on Highway 77

    832 ft · 24 sec · Highway 77

  30. 30

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 77

    31 m · 4 sec · Highway 77

  31. 31

    Exit the roundabout onto Highway 77

    16.8 mi · 21 min · Highway 77

  32. 32

    Turn right onto West 21st Street

    1 km · 1 min · West 21st Street

  33. 33

    Turn left onto Dakota Avenue

    1499 ft · 51 sec · Dakota Avenue

  34. 34

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dakota Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairbury and South 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
34 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
1 merges, 13 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 77
64.8 mi · 33%
Highway 15
34.2 mi · 17%
I 80 East
26.3 mi · 13%
US 77
16.8 mi · 9%
County Road 11
11.6 mi · 6%
North 56th Street
11.1 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

Highway 15

Continue on Highway 15

34.2 mi · 00h 41m

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
03h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
166.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wahoo
01h 40m from Fairbury
Leave By
10:18 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Fairbury and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near South Sioux City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fairbury to South Sioux City?

The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.6 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?

Wahoo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.3 miles from Fairbury and 98.5 miles from South Sioux City.

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

The direct path is about 166.3 miles (267.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Fairbury and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near South Sioux City.

Stop Ideas Near Wahoo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Wahoo, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wahoo.

RAIL

Lincoln

45 mi away
201 North 7th St.
RAIL

Omaha

58 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairbury and South Sioux City. Straight-line distance: 166.28 mi (267.6 km).

Fairbury

#1 Fairbury

City in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States

Population3,646
Coordinates40.1372200, -97.1805900
Altitude404
CountryUnited States
South Sioux City

#2 South Sioux City

City in Dakota County, Nebraska, United States

Population12,809
Coordinates42.4738800, -96.4136400
Altitude337
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Street (-97.18059, 40.137254)
End: Dakota Avenue (-96.413706, 42.473915)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 317 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.94 gal
26.28 L · about $26.17
Round trip
$52.34
13.88 gal · 52.56 L
Estimated CO2
61.7 kg one way
Round trip: 123.4 kg / 272 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.17 $52.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.52 $59.03
Premium $4.65 $32.30 $64.60
Diesel $5.30 $36.81 $73.62

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 Nebraska · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairbury and South Sioux City. The current time is 14:51:13.

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.