How far is Iowa City, IA from Sioux City, IA?
The driving distance from Iowa City, IA to Sioux City, IA is about 291.5 miles (469.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 04m 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 04h 32m.
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.
Human settlement in Guthrie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Iowa City and Sioux City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa City and Sioux City.
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1
Start on South Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · South Gilbert Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 22 sec · Kimball Road
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3
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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4
Turn left
2315 ft · 59 sec
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5
Merge slight left
119.9 mi · 2 hr 11 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
16.7 mi · 18 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 29 North: Sioux City
2271 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight left
75.3 mi · 1 hr 21 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
1582 ft · 43 sec
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11
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
3174 ft · 1 min · South Floyd Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto 5th Street
121 m · 15 sec · 5th Street
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13
Turn right onto Iowa Street
105 m · 7 sec · Iowa Street
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14
Keep slight left to continue on 6th Street
130 m · 17 sec · 6th Street
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15
Turn right onto Court Street
1199 ft · 39 sec · Court Street
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16
Turn left onto 9th Street
990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street
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17
Turn right
35 m · 9 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Iowa City and Sioux City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Dubuque Street
Merge slight left
120 mi · 02h 11m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Iowa City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Iowa City to Sioux City?
The road trip is about 291.5 miles (469.1 km) and usually takes 04h 32m 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?
Menlo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155.7 miles from Iowa City and 135.8 miles from Sioux City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 7:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.80 one way or $77.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Iowa City and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Sioux City.
Stop Ideas Near Menlo
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 Menlo.
Creston
Osceola
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Iowa City and Sioux City. Straight-line distance: 256.35 mi (412.55 km).
#1 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sioux City
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 82,651 |
| Coordinates | 42.4999900, -96.4003100 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-96.400135, 42.499991)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 469 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $38.80 | $77.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.76 | $87.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $47.89 | $95.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.58 | $109.16 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.