Origin
Fairfax, IA
Morning in Fairfax on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfax, 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 24m
Distance
272.2 mi
438 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 11m
★
6 AM
5h 25m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfax, IA
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fairfax, IA to Sioux City, IA is 272.2 miles and takes about 5h 24m via Avenue of the Saints and Highway 20, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the heart of Iowa, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a route with plenty of turns, more akin to navigating local roads than a straight interstate cruise. It's a good option for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay if you start with a full tank.
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
136.1 miles from Fairfax, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 211.4 mi | 4h 1m |
| Highway 20 | 42.9 mi | 53m |
| 160th Street | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Williams Boulevard | 3 mi | 4m |
| Williams Boulevard Southwest | 2 mi | 4m |
| United States Highway 20 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue West | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Williams Blvd | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 211.4 mi, about 4h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on Vanderbilt Street
443 ft
·
21 sec
·
Vanderbilt Street
2
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Church Street
3
Turn right onto US 151
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Williams Boulevard
4
Enter roundabout onto US 151
85 ft
·
1 sec
·
Williams Boulevard
5
Continue on US 151
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Williams Boulevard
6
Continue on US 151 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Williams Blvd
7
Continue on US 151 Business
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Williams Boulevard Southwest
8
Continue on US 151 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue West
9
Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest
54 ft
·
1 sec
·
3rd Street Southwest
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 380 North, IA 27 North
11
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
51 mi
·
56 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
160 mi
·
3 hr 4 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
13
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
160th Street
14
Continue on US 20
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Highway 20
15
Continue on US 20
43 mi
·
53 min
·
Highway 20
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on 6th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
18
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
19
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
20
Turn right
115 ft
·
8 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 24m estimated duration and its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, it's wise to start your journey in Fairfax, IA, in the morning to maximize daylight hours. While this drive is doable in one day, consider a mid-trip stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the longest stretch without a significant road change is 211.4 miles. The route utilizes Avenue of the Saints and Highway 20, so having these main roads in your GPS will be helpful for navigation.
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 136.1 miles from Fairfax, IA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.4 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.1 miles or 2h 40m 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 20m
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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, IA
This is one driving day of about 272.2 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Fairfax, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 211.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Fairfax, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 211.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 272.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Church Street
Turn right onto Church Street
Navigation decision point
5
7.4 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the ramp toward I 380 North, IA 27 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 380 North, IA 27 North
6
270.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m in
|
South Fairmount Street
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
272 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
|
9th Street
Turn left onto 9th Street
Navigation decision point
5
272.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 24m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.56 one way
$85.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $46.72 | $93.45 |
| premium | $4.89 | $52.38 | $104.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.10 | $120.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.58 | $13.07 |
| Efficient EV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.82 | $10.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.9 | 1 | $38.11 | $17.42 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Morning in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
NW 15 to 20 mph
5% chance
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
5 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
5h 24m 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 characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long, straightaways. With only a 16% highway share, most of your time will be spent on local roads, making for a more engaging driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 211.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints, so while there are turns, there are also periods of sustained driving. Be prepared for a varied landscape and road conditions as you transition between these local routes.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.4 mi on Avenue of the Saints.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Church 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 5h 24m 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: at 0.1 miles (Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.3 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 24m. Total distance: 272.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (16%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.4 miles on Avenue of the Saints. 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.
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 0.1 miles (Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.3 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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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