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Trip from Britt, IA to Sioux City, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 51m

Distance

178.6 mi

287 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 39m ★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m

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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Downtown Britt, IA, IA

Britt, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

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

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 178.6-mile drive from Britt to Sioux City, Iowa, will take you approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. Primarily utilizing US 20 Business and US 20, with a portion on Lincoln Avenue, this highway-focused route is estimated to cost around $28 in fuel. You'll experience a straightforward journey across the heart of the Midwest, with the entire trip contained within Iowa. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive in a single day, enjoying a direct path through the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

89.3 miles from Britt, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 Business 63.9 mi 1h 14m
US 20 44.4 mi 55m
Lincoln Avenue 26.9 mi 37m
US Highway 18 16.9 mi 23m
South Phillips Street 6.4 mi 9m
Kenyon Road 4.6 mi 6m
US Highway 169 4 mi 5m
210th Street 4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 20 Business — 63.9 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Main Avenue North

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Main Avenue North
2

Turn left onto US 18

17 mi · 23 min · US Highway 18
3

Turn left onto 210th Avenue

1.1 mi · 1 min · 210th Avenue
4

Turn right onto 210th Street

4.0 mi · 5 min · 210th Street
5

Continue on East McGregor Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · East McGregor Street
6

Turn left onto US 169

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Phillips Street
7

Continue on US 169

4.0 mi · 5 min · US Highway 169
8

Continue on US 169

5.9 mi · 8 min · South Phillips Street
9

Continue on US 169

0.5 mi · 55 sec · 120th Avenue
10

Continue on US 169

11 mi · 15 min · Lincoln Avenue
11

Continue on US 169

1.3 mi · 2 min · 13th Street North
12

Continue on US 169

377 ft · 8 sec · Lincoln Avenue
13

Continue on US 169

1.3 mi · 2 min · 13th Street South
14

Continue on US 169

15 mi · 21 min · Lincoln Avenue
15

Turn right onto US 20 Business

4.6 mi · 6 min · Kenyon Road
16

Turn left onto US 20 Business

0.1 mi · 17 sec · US 20 Business
17

Take the ramp onto US 20 Business

64 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 20 Business
Toward US 20 West
18

Continue on US 20; US 59

44 mi · 55 min · US 20; US 59
Use the straight lane.
19

Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
20

Continue on 6th Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · 6th Street
21

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street
22

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street
23

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and take advantage of the relatively short duration. With a driving time under four hours and only one suggested stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your schedule. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is based on current averages, so be sure to check gas prices along US 20 as you travel. A practical tip for this route is to note that the longest stretch without a significant town is on US 20 Business, so plan your breaks accordingly before entering that segment.

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 89.3 miles from Britt, IA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.9 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 39 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.3 miles or 2h 1m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 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 Britt, 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 Britt, IA

This is one driving day of about 178.6 miles and 3h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Britt, 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 Business for about 63.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Rockwell City, IA, IA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rockwell City, IA

89 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

Algona, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rockwell City, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.3 miles from Britt, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.9 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.2 mi from route

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Fort Dodge, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.3 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Early, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Noodoe Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Algona, Iowa

+19094681118

ChargeLab Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Britt, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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 17.2 and 178.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
17.2 mi into trip | ~23m in | 210th Avenue

Turn left onto 210th Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
18.3 mi into trip | ~25m in | 210th Street

Turn right onto 210th Street

Navigation decision point

6
176.7 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in | South Fairmount Street

Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
178.4 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in | 9th Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

Navigation decision point

5
178.6 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.92 one way

$55.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $30.66 $61.31
premium $4.89 $34.37 $68.74
diesel $5.61 $39.43 $78.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.6 0 $18.75 $8.57
Efficient EV 44.7 0 $15.63 $7.14
EV Truck/SUV 71.4 0 $25.00 $11.43

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

Britt, IA

Late night in Britt on Tuesday

Local time

5:37 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Late night in Sioux City on Tuesday

Local time

5:37 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Sunny

NW 15 to 20 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 9:48AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 18 at 9:40AM CDT until April 23 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

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

3 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

3h 51m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this trip, with 72% of the route on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.9 miles on US 20 Business, offering a good period of consistent travel. While primarily a highway drive, you'll navigate through segments of US 20 and Lincoln Avenue, providing a varied but generally efficient road experience. This route offers a steady pace without excessive twists or turns, allowing for a predictable and smooth drive.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.9 mi on US 20 Business.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 Business and US 20. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in near 210th Avenue.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Britt, IA to Sioux City, IA is easy. At 3h 51m with 72% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 17.2 miles (210th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (210th Street): Navigation decision point; at 176.7 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Britt, IA

Full guide →

Britt is a city in North Central Iowa, best known as the home of the Hobo Foundation.

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 3h 51m. Total distance: 178.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 63.9 miles on US 20 Business. 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: at 17.2 miles (210th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (210th Street): Navigation decision point; at 176.7 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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