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Trip from Forest City, IA to Sioux City, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 14m

Distance

201.9 mi

325 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 1m ★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m

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 Forest City, IA, IA

Forest City, IA

Nino Souza

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

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 181.7 miles across the Iowa landscape, this trip from Forest City to Sioux City typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly way to traverse the Midwest. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads like East J Street, Highway 18, and Sage Avenue rather than major interstates. Keep in mind that this is a turn-heavy drive, so it requires a bit more focus than a straight highway haul. It is an honest, straightforward trek that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.

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

100.9 miles from Forest City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 20 141 mi 2h 47m
US 69 30.4 mi 41m
Sage Avenue 26.7 mi 36m
US Highway 18 1.1 mi 1m
6th Street 0.9 mi 2m
South Fairmount Street 0.6 mi 1m
Court Street 0.2 mi <1m
East J Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 20 — 141 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South 4th Street

358 ft · 18 sec · South 4th Street
2

Turn right onto East J Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · East J Street
3

Turn right onto US 69

11 mi · 15 min · US 69
4

Turn left onto US 18; US 69

1.1 mi · 1 min · US Highway 18
5

Turn right onto US 69

27 mi · 36 min · Sage Avenue
6

Turn left onto US 69

19 mi · 26 min · US 69
7

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward US 20 West
8

Merge onto US 20

141 mi · 2 hr 47 min · US 20
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
10

Continue on 6th Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · 6th Street
11

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street
12

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street
13

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a turn-heavy route, plan to leave early in the day to give yourself plenty of daylight for navigating the smaller roads. You only have one planned stop along the way, so be sure to pick a spot that allows you to stretch your legs after the technical sections of the drive. Keep your GPS handy and ready, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making frequent turns rather than staying on one main road. Because you are only budgeting $27 for fuel, it is wise to fill up before you depart Forest City to avoid hunting for stations in smaller towns. Maintaining a steady pace will help you stay on schedule despite the winding nature of the path.

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 100.9 miles from Forest City, IA, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141 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 44 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100.9 miles or 2h 11m 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 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 Forest City, 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 Forest City, IA

This is one driving day of about 201.9 miles and 4h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Forest City, 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 141 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Storm Lake, IA

101 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

Oakland, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Storm Lake, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.9 miles from Forest City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141 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

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 201.9

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 201.9

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Forest City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 201.9

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 72.1

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

ChargeLab Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 187.5

Moville, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 72.1

Webster City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Forest City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 201.9

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 201.9

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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 201.9 — 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 | East J Street

Turn right onto East J Street

Navigation decision point

5
59 mi into trip | ~1h 21m in | US 20

Merge onto US 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
199.9 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | South Fairmount Street

Turn right onto South Fairmount Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
201.7 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in | 9th Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

Navigation decision point

5
201.9 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.56 one way

$63.13 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.66 $69.31
premium $4.89 $38.85 $77.71
diesel $5.61 $44.58 $89.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.6 0 $21.20 $9.69
Efficient EV 50.5 0 $17.67 $8.08
EV Truck/SUV 80.8 1 $28.27 $12.92

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 15, 2026

Origin

Forest City, IA

Night in Forest City on Saturday

Local time

9:53 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Night in Sioux City on Saturday

Local time

9:53 PM

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

22 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

4h 14m 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?

Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate this route, which lacks any interstate highway segments. You will spend your time on local roads, characterized by frequent turns rather than the monotonous rhythm of a high-speed expressway. With no stretch of road on East J Street exceeding 0 miles of uninterrupted travel, the route demands constant engagement and attention to your navigation. This is a local-style drive that trades the efficiency of a highway for a more varied, winding path through the Iowa countryside. By the time you reach Sioux City, you will have navigated several different road types, ensuring the trip feels active and ever-changing throughout the 181.7-mile duration.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141 mi on US 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and US 69. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East J 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 4h 14m drive. You will face about 10 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 (East J Street): Navigation decision point; at 59 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.9 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,444 ft 1,177 ft

Total Climb

309 ft

Total Descent

297 ft

Highest Point

1,444 ft

~158.6 mi in

Elevation Range

267 ft

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 201.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 141 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.

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 0.1 miles (East J Street): Navigation decision point; at 59 miles (US 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.9 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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