Trip from Creston, 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

3h 38m

Distance

187.5 mi

302 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 26m ★

6 AM

3h 39m

8 AM

4h 4m

10 AM

3h 48m

12 PM

3h 45m

3 PM

3h 49m

5 PM

4h 3m

8 PM

3h 31m

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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Creston, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa, United States

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Creston, IA to Sioux City, IA is 187.5 miles and takes about 3h 38m via I-29, I-80, and State Highway 25, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the heart of Iowa, staying within the Midwest region for its entirety. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's an excellent choice for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on well-maintained interstates, making for a straightforward journey between these two Iowa cities.

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

93.7 miles from Creston, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 29	75.3 mi	1h 21m
I 80	58.3 mi	1h 2m
State Highway 25	30 mi	43m
I 880	16.7 mi	17m
Southeast 6th Street	1.5 mi	2m
North Sumner Avenue	1 mi	1m
West Townline Street	0.7 mi	1m
School Street	0.6 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 29 — 75.3 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on East Montgomery Street

39 ft · 9 sec · East Montgomery Street

Turn left onto North Pine Street

443 ft · 21 sec · North Pine Street

Turn right onto West Adams Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Adams Street

Turn right onto IA 25

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Sumner Avenue

Turn left onto IA 25

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Townline Street

Continue on IA 25

9.8 mi · 14 min · State Highway 25

Continue on IA 25

0.6 mi · 59 sec · School Street

Turn left onto IA 25

0.6 mi · 53 sec · East Division Street

Turn straight onto IA 25

1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 25

Keep slight right at fork onto IA 25

6.6 mi · 9 min · State Highway 25

Continue on IA 25

1.5 mi · 2 min · Southeast 6th Street

Continue on IA 25

12 mi · 17 min · State Highway 25

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto I 80; US 6

58 mi · 1 hr 2 min · I 80; US 6

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 0B Toward I 29 North: Sioux City

Merge onto I 29

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 29

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Floyd Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto 5th Street

396 ft · 14 sec · 5th Street

Turn right onto Iowa Street

346 ft · 7 sec · Iowa Street

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street

426 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this trip is a manageable 3h 38m, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits you best, perhaps in the late morning to avoid early rush hour. There's only one recommended stop, indicating you can easily complete this drive without extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I-29, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. Your estimated fuel cost is around $29, so plan accordingly before you set off from Creston.

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 93.7 miles from Creston, IA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.3 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 41 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 93.7 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 59m

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 Creston, 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 Creston, IA

This is one driving day of about 187.5 miles and 3h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Creston, 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 29 for about 75.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Council Bluffs, IA

94 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

Stuart, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avoca, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.7 miles from Creston, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.3 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

A&G Restaurant and Lounge

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Creston, Iowa

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16417827871

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Avoca, Iowa

0.6 mi

Creston Family Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Creston, Iowa

0.9 mi

A&G Restaurant and Lounge

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Creston, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16417827871

Visit website

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.4

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

Creston Family Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Creston, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16417824238

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 187.5

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 40.2

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 187.5

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 187.5

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 187.5

Sioux City, Iowa

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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 187 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Pine Street

Turn left onto North Pine Street

Navigation decision point

93.5 mi into trip | ~1h 54m 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

110.2 mi into trip | ~2h 12m 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

186.2 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in | South Floyd Boulevard

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

187 mi into trip | ~3h 37m 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

$29.31 one way

$58.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$32.19	$64.37
premium	$4.89	$36.08	$72.17
diesel	$5.61	$41.40	$82.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.3	$19.69	$9.00
Efficient EV	46.9	$16.41	$7.50
EV Truck/SUV	75	$26.25	$12.00

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Creston, IA

Late night in Creston on Sunday

Local time

4:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Late night in Sioux City on Sunday

Local time

4:56 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

24 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 38m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of efficient travel, including a continuous segment of 75.3 miles on I-29. Expect a consistent driving experience on these interstates, minimizing the need for complex navigation or slower local roads. The character is largely about covering distance efficiently, with the landscape unfolding primarily from the vantage point of high-speed travel.

96% 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: 75.3 mi on I 29.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and I 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Pine Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 187.5 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: near the start (North Pine Street): Navigation decision point; at 93.5 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 110.2 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 3h 38m. Total distance: 187.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75.3 miles on I 29. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 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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Trip from Creston, IA to Sioux City, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

A&G Restaurant and Lounge

A&G Restaurant and Lounge

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

Creston Family Restaurant

La Isla

Chuckwagon Restaurant

Bamboo Village Restaurant

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Creston, IA

Sioux City, IA

Same local time

24 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 38m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Sioux City, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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