How far is Sioux City, IA from Iowa City, IA?
The driving distance from Sioux City, IA to Iowa City, IA is about 291.6 miles (469.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.3 miles (412.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m 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 33m.
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sioux City and Iowa City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City and Iowa City.
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1
Start on the route
35 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn left onto 9th Street
990 ft · 46 sec · 9th Street
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3
Turn right onto Court Street
1594 ft · 55 sec · Court Street
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4
Turn left onto 5th Street
794 ft · 29 sec · 5th Street
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5
Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard
1 km · 2 min · Floyd Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 29 South
1588 ft · 39 sec
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7
Merge slight left
75.6 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines
1.2 km · 2 min
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9
Continue straight
16 mi · 17 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines
1.1 km · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight right
94.9 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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13
Keep slight left
106.9 mi · 1 hr 56 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
2061 ft · 53 sec
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15
Turn right onto North Dubuque Street
1.5 km · 3 min · North Dubuque Street
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16
Turn left onto Kimball Road
145 m · 21 sec · Kimball Road
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17
Keep slight right to continue on North Gilbert Street
1.3 km · 3 min · North Gilbert Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Gilbert Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sioux City and Iowa 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.
I 35
Keep slight left
107 mi · 01h 56m
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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sioux City and Partly Sunny near Iowa City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sioux City to Iowa City?
The road trip is about 291.6 miles (469.3 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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 156.3 miles from Sioux City and 135.3 miles from Iowa 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 35.3 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 7:54 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 then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Sioux City and Partly Sunny near Iowa 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 Sioux City and Iowa City. Straight-line distance: 256.35 mi (412.55 km).
#1 Sioux City
The second most populous city in Iowa.
| Population | 82,651 |
| Coordinates | 42.4999900, -96.4003100 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Iowa City
The most populous city in Johnson County, Iowa.
| Population | 75,130 |
| Coordinates | 41.6611300, -91.5301700 |
| Altitude | 204 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Gilbert Street (-91.530165, 41.661126)
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.