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Trip from Belle Plaine, 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

4h 57m

Distance

249.9 mi

402 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 44m ★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m

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, United States

Belle Plaine, IA

Wikimedia Commons

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

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 249.9 miles across the heart of the Midwest, this drive from Belle Plaine to Sioux City is a straightforward journey through Iowa. You can expect to spend approximately 4 hours and 57 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $38, it is an economical route that relies on a mix of major thoroughfares like US 20, the historic Lincoln Highway, and I-35. Since the entire drive stays within Iowa, you will experience consistent regional landscapes rather than drastic shifts in geography. Whether you are commuting or road-tripping, this route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path between these two points.

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

124.9 miles from Belle Plaine, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 145 mi 2h 51m
Lincoln Highway 65.7 mi 1h 16m
I 35 30.4 mi 32m
13th Street 5.4 mi 8m
6th Street 0.9 mi 2m
South Fairmount Street 0.6 mi 1m
Court Street 0.2 mi <1m
9th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 145 mi, about 2h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on IA 21

45 ft · 6 sec · 7th Avenue
2

Turn left onto IA 21

5.4 mi · 8 min · 13th Street
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 48 sec
4

Merge onto US 30

0.1 mi · 10 sec · 73rd Street
5

Continue on US 30

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Lincoln Highway
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
7

Merge onto I 35

30 mi · 32 min · I 35
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 56 sec
Toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge
9

Merge onto US 20

145 mi · 2 hr 51 min · US 20
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
11

Continue on 6th Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · 6th Street
12

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street
13

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street
14

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec
15

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly five-hour trek. Since you have a 145-mile stretch on US 20, make sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto that section to avoid any unnecessary anxiety. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to beat potential traffic and ensure you arrive in Sioux City with plenty of daylight left. Given the route’s flexibility as a one-day drive, you have the freedom to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort. Keep a close eye on your mileage, as the distance is significant enough that staying aware of your progress will help you manage your time effectively.

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 124.9 miles from Belle Plaine, IA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.9 miles or 2h 26m 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 1m

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 Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, IA

This is one driving day of about 249.9 miles and 4h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Belle Plaine, 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 US 20 for about 145 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Story County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ames, IA

125 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

Nevada, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Webster City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.9 miles from Belle Plaine, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145 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

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 249.9

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 249.9

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

Tremont on Main Restaurants and Inn

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 35.7

Marshalltown, Iowa

+16417521234

Visit website

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15154505004

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 232

Moville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 249.9

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Discover Ames

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 71.4

Ames, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm

+15152324032

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 249.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | IA 21 / 13th Street

Turn left onto IA 21 / 13th Street

Navigation decision point

5
102.9 mi into trip | ~2h in | US 20

Merge onto US 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
247.9 mi into trip | ~4h 52m in | South Fairmount Street

Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
249.7 mi into trip | ~4h 56m in | 9th Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

Navigation decision point

5
249.8 mi into trip | ~4h 57m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.07 one way

$78.14 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $42.90 $85.79
premium $4.89 $48.09 $96.18
diesel $5.61 $55.17 $110.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75 0 $26.24 $12.00
Efficient EV 62.5 0 $21.87 $10.00
EV Truck/SUV 100 1 $34.99 $15.99

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Belle Plaine, IA

Morning in Belle Plaine on Sunday

Local time

7:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Morning in Sioux City on Sunday

Local time

7:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

4h 57m 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 a highway-focused drive, with 70% of your time spent on high-speed routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 145 miles along US 20. While the interstate portions offer efficiency, the inclusion of the Lincoln Highway adds a bit of variety to the overall character of the journey. Expect the road to feel fast and purposeful, as the infrastructure is designed for steady progress across the state. Prepare for a mix of wide-open stretches that demand focus, punctuated by the transitions between the various highways involved in your itinerary.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Lincoln Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near IA 21 / 13th Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 57m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 21 / 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 102.9 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.9 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,371 ft 829 ft

Total Climb

871 ft

Total Descent

500 ft

Highest Point

1,371 ft

~196.3 mi in

Elevation Range

543 ft

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 4h 57m. Total distance: 249.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 145 miles on US 20. 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (IA 21 / 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 102.9 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.9 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Sioux City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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