Fayette, IA to Sioux City, IA is 262.8 miles and takes about 5h 27m via US 20, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Iowa for its entirety. The route is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s an efficient way to cover ground between these two points. Consider this if you need a practical, no-frills drive across 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
131.4 miles from Fayette, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
199.2 mi
3h 54m
230th Street
13.1 mi
17m
60th Street
9 mi
12m
Logan Avenue
6.9 mi
8m
University Avenue
5.4 mi
7m
Larrabee Avenue
4.7 mi
5m
P Avenue
4 mi
5m
K Avenue
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 199.2 mi, about 3h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayette, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on South Main Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South Main Street
2
Turn left onto East 7th Street
317 ft·8 sec·East 7th Street
3
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·Washington Street
4
Continue on Klock Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Klock Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto IA 150
3.8 mi·5 min·K Avenue
6
Turn right onto IA 150
3.2 mi·4 min·100th Street
7
Continue on IA 150
1.8 mi·2 min·Main Street East
8
Turn left onto IA 150
4.0 mi·5 min·P Avenue
9
Continue on IA 150
9.0 mi·12 min·60th Street
10
Continue on IA 3
13 mi·17 min·230th Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto US 63
4.7 mi·5 min·Larrabee Avenue
13
Continue on US 63
6.9 mi·8 min·Logan Avenue
14
Turn right onto West Airline Highway
3.0 mi·5 min·West Airline Highway
15
Turn left onto Airport Boulevard
0.1 mi·21 sec·Airport Boulevard
16
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 218 north
17
Merge onto US 218
0.6 mi·40 sec·Leo P Rooff Expressway
18
Take the exit onto US 218
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 218
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
20
Merge onto IA 27; IA 58
1.2 mi·1 min·Avenue of the Saints
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 183Toward University Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork
333 ft·8 sec
23
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi·2 min·University Avenue
24
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
124 ft·2 sec·University Avenue
25
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
26
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
27
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Use the right lane.
28
Merge onto US 20
199 mi·3 hr 54 min·US 20
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
30
Continue on 6th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·6th Street
31
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Court Street
32
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
33
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 27 minute estimated drive time, departing Fayette, IA in the morning will allow you to reach Sioux City, IA with ample daylight remaining. The longest continuous stretch is 199.2 miles on US 20, so plan for a fuel and stretch break before or during that segment. While the route has only one recommended stop, you might find more opportunities for services along US 20. The $40 fuel cost estimate should help you budget accordingly for the 262.8-mile journey.
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 131.4 miles from Fayette, IA, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.2 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 58 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 2h 49m 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 28m
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 Fayette, 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 Fayette, IA
This is one driving day of about 262.8 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Fayette, 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 199.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.1 and 260.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
51.1 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the ramp toward US 218 north
Navigation decision point
Toward US 218 north
6
52.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 27 South, IA 58 South: Hudson, UNI
5
54.7 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward University Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 183
Toward University Avenue
5
55 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
260.8 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|South Fairmount Street
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.81 one way
$77.62 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$42.84
$85.69
premium
$4.72
$48.79
$97.59
diesel
$4.80
$49.62
$99.24
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: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.59
$12.61
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$23.00
$10.51
EV Truck/SUV
105.1
1
$36.79
$16.82
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Fayette, IA
Morning
in Fayette on Sunday
Local time
10:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Morning
in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
10:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
SSE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 1:35AM CDT until July 18 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
62°F
Hampton, IA
131 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 27m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 262.8 miles on major roads like US 20. You'll experience a long stretch of nearly 200 miles (199.2 miles) on US 20 before transitioning to surface streets like 230th Street and 60th Street. Expect consistent cruising for the bulk of the trip, with the highway portion likely featuring fewer immediate exits and more open road.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199.2 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and 230th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 262.8 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 51.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 52.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,375 ft894 ft
Total Climb
600 ft
Total Descent
404 ft
Highest Point
1,375 ft
~206.5 mi in
Elevation Range
480 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 Fayette, IA to Sioux City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Uni along the way.
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 27m. Total distance: 262.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 199.2 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.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 52.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
