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Trip from Albia, IA to Sioux City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 1m

Distance

263 mi

423 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 48m ★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 11m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Iowa

Albia, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city ​​in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa, United States

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Albia, IA to Sioux City, IA is 263 miles and takes about 5h 1m via I 80, I 29, and IA 5, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive across Iowa, connecting two points within the Midwest region. Given its relatively short duration and direct path, it’s a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll be spending most of your time on major interstates, making it a predictable journey. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

131.5 miles from Albia, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 94.8 mi 1h 41m
I 29 75.3 mi 1h 21m
IA 5 35.9 mi 49m
State Highway 5 19.2 mi 22m
I 880 16.7 mi 17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 12.3 mi 14m
I 35 4.3 mi 5m
South Floyd Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albia, IA and Sioux City, IA.

1

Start on this road

31 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto South 2nd Street

170 ft · 12 sec · South 2nd Street
3

Turn left onto CR H35

356 ft · 9 sec · Benton Avenue East
4

Turn right onto IA 5

0.3 mi · 30 sec · North Main Street
5

Keep slight left at fork onto IA 5

25 mi · 37 min · IA 5
6

Take the ramp onto IA 5

11 mi · 12 min · IA 5
7

Turn right

0.1 mi · 7 sec
8

Continue on IA 5

19 mi · 22 min · State Highway 5
9

Merge onto US 65; IA 5

12 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
11

Merge onto I 35

4.3 mi · 5 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
Exit 72B Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 235

0.5 mi · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
14

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 880

17 mi · 17 min · I 880
Exit 27 Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 0B Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
17

Merge onto I 29

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 29
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
19

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20

Turn left onto 5th Street

396 ft · 14 sec · 5th Street
21

Turn right onto Iowa Street

346 ft · 7 sec · Iowa Street
22

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street

426 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street
24

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street
25

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec
26

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a drive time of just over 5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will give you ample daylight to complete the 263 miles to Sioux City. Given the highway-focused nature, plan for one primary stop for fuel and a break to break up the 94.8-mile stretch on I 80. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on interstates; the estimated fuel cost is around $41. This is a trip where you can afford to be spontaneous with your timing.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.5 miles from Albia, IA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 58 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 131.5 miles or 2h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux City, IA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Albia, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Albia, IA

This is one driving day of about 263 miles and 5h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Albia, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 80 for about 94.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Coo n Rapids, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Coo n Rapids, IA

132 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Des Moines, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Audubon, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.5 miles from Albia, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Walnut, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clive, Iowa

0.6 mi

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clive, Iowa

0.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.2

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Casey, Iowa

1.4 mi

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

2.3 mi

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.3

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 75.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 75.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15155133330

Visit website

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Aura Restaurant & Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $30 to $40 mile 75.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152256005

Visit website

Midnight Coffee & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15152141392

Visit website

Smokey Row Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.6

Pleasantville, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+15158485959

Visit website

Early Bird West Des Moines

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15155282212

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 112.7

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.2

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 75.2

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 75.2

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 263

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 263

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 263

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 263

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 263

Sioux City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 263

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 75.2

Waukee, Iowa

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 75.2

Grimes, Iowa

+18006360986

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Paris Banh Mi Windsor Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 75.2

Windsor Heights, Iowa

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+15152778888

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 73.2 and 262.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
73.2 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | Ramp 72 J

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 72B Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
9
169.1 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in | I 880

Keep slight right at fork onto I 880 toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 27 Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
6
185.7 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 North: Sioux City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 0B Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
6
261.8 mi into trip | ~4h 58m in | South Floyd Boulevard

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
262.5 mi into trip | ~5h in | 6th Street

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.12 one way

$82.23 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $45.14 $90.29
premium $4.89 $50.61 $101.22
diesel $5.61 $58.07 $116.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.9 0 $27.61 $12.62
Efficient EV 65.8 0 $23.01 $10.52
EV Truck/SUV 105.2 1 $36.82 $16.83

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Albia, IA

Morning in Albia on Sunday

Local time

9:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Morning in Sioux City on Sunday

Local time

9:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

29°F

Clear

WNW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:33AM CDT until April 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 24 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

74°F

Coo n Rapids, IA

132 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

23 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 1m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a substantial 94% of the journey taking place on major roadways like I 80 and I 29. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80, indicating long periods of consistent highway travel. The route largely maintains a high-speed, direct character, typical of interstate driving across the Midwest. While there are brief segments on IA 5, the overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than winding backroads.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.8 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 73.2 miles in near Ramp 72 J.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 263 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 73.2 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.1 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Arriving in Sioux City, IA

Full guide →

Sioux City is on the western edge of the state of Iowa. It is on the Missouri River and many parts of Sioux City are among the unique Loess Hills formations.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 263 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sioux City, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 73.2 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.1 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sioux City, IA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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