Fairfield to Sioux City is 312.2 miles and takes about 5h 52m via I 80 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive across Iowa, connecting two points within the Midwest region. You'll primarily be on interstate highways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Expect a functional, highway-focused journey with minimal detours from your direct path. This route is best suited for travelers prioritizing speed and convenience to reach their destination within the state.
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
156.1 miles from Fairfield, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.8 mi
1h 41m
I 29
75.3 mi
1h 21m
US 34
32.5 mi
37m
A Avenue West
32.4 mi
36m
State Highway 5
19.2 mi
22m
US 63
16.7 mi
19m
I 880
16.7 mi
17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,189 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,473
Quietest
2 AM
~75 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on East Briggs Avenue
0.1 mi·34 sec·East Briggs Avenue
2
Turn left onto IA 1
0.1 mi·18 sec·North 2nd Street
3
Turn right onto US 34 Business
1.9 mi·3 min·West Burlington Avenue
4
Continue on US 34 Business
1.0 mi·1 min·Old US 34
5
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business
0.4 mi·54 sec·US 34 Business
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: OttumwaUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
32 mi·37 min·US 34; IA 163
7
Continue on US 63; IA 163
17 mi·19 min·US 63; IA 163
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
9
Turn left onto IA 92
32 mi·36 min·A Avenue West
10
Turn right
0.1 mi·7 sec
11
Continue on IA 5
19 mi·22 min·State Highway 5
12
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
12 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
14
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi·5 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J
0.5 mi·1 min·Ramp 72 J
Exit 72BToward I 80 west: Council BluffsUse the straight / right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi·40 sec·John MacVicar Freeway
17
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
17 mi·17 min·I 880
Exit 27Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux CityUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 0BToward I 29 North: Sioux City
20
Merge onto I 29
75 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 29
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
22
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft·14 sec·5th Street
24
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft·7 sec·Iowa Street
25
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft·17 sec·6th Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Court Street
27
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
28
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 52m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Fairfield in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Sioux City with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80, as services might be spaced out. The $49 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor gas prices along your route. This is a very manageable one-day drive, so you have flexibility in 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 156.1 miles from Fairfield, IA, or about 3h 1m 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 69 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.1 miles or 3h 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 4h 49m
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 Fairfield, 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 Fairfield, IA
This is one driving day of about 312.2 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Fairfield, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 311.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in|US 34 Business
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Ottumwa
7
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 24m 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
218.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
234.9 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
7
311.7 mi into trip|~5h 50m 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
$46.10 one way
$92.21 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$50.90
$101.80
premium
$4.72
$57.97
$115.93
diesel
$4.80
$58.95
$117.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.7
1
$32.78
$14.99
Efficient EV
78.1
0
$27.32
$12.49
EV Truck/SUV
124.9
1
$43.71
$19.98
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Fairfield, IA
Evening
in Fairfield on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Evening
in Sioux City on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:32PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
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
4 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 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 80 and I 29. You'll experience long stretches of smooth, high-speed travel, including one uninterrupted segment of 94.8 miles on I 80. While the highway is the main character here, the transition to US 34 near the end offers a slight shift in scenery before reaching Sioux City. For the most part, prepare for a consistent interstate experience that allows for steady progress.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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?
10/10
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 3.1 miles in near US 34 Business.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 312.2 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 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.4 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.2 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,353 ft654 ft
Total Climb
917 ft
Total Descent
494 ft
Highest Point
1,353 ft
~178.4 mi in
Elevation Range
699 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairfield, IA to Sioux City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville along the way.
Knoxville
52.7 mi in|~1h 3m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Fairfield is the county seat of Jefferson County in Southeast Iowa. It is a small town of about 9,400 people (2020) in the Heartland of America. The town of Mount Pleasant is 22 miles to the east and Ottumwa is 25 miles to the west.
Top landmarks
•Jefferson County Courthouse — courthouse in Iowa, United States
•James A. Beck House — Fairfield, Iowa, listed on the NRHP in Jefferson County
•James F. Clarke House — historic house in Iowa, United States
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.
Top landmarks
•Sergeant Floyd — museum boat in Sioux City, Iowa, United States
•Woodbury County Courthouse — county courthouse in Sioux City, United States of America
•St. Boniface Catholic Church — church building in Sioux City, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 312.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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.
Yes — we found about 22 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 34 Business): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.4 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.2 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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.
