Indiana, IA to Sioux City, IA is 245.7 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 80, I 29, and State Highway 5, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Iowa, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. Plan for a single day of driving, as the total time is manageable. You'll find this trip offers a practical and uncomplicated passage 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
122.9 miles from Indiana, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.8 mi
1h 41m
I 29
75.3 mi
1h 21m
State Highway 5
19.2 mi
22m
IA 5
17 mi
21m
I 880
16.7 mi
17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi
14m
I 35
4.3 mi
5m
County Highway G76
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,583 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,923
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 94 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 Indiana, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on CR G76
1.9 mi·3 min·County Highway G76
2
Continue on CR G76
0.2 mi·26 sec·County Highway G76
3
Turn sharp left onto IA 5
6.1 mi·9 min·IA 5
4
Take the ramp onto IA 5
11 mi·12 min·IA 5
5
Turn right
0.1 mi·7 sec
6
Continue on IA 5
19 mi·22 min·State Highway 5
7
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
12 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
9
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi·5 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi·40 sec·John MacVicar Freeway
12
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 0BToward I 29 North: Sioux City
15
Merge onto I 29
75 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 29
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
17
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft·14 sec·5th Street
19
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft·7 sec·Iowa Street
20
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft·17 sec·6th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Court Street
22
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
23
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 36m duration, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Sioux City without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch without an exit is nearly 95 miles on I 80, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the interstate portion and transition to State Highway 5. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your needs.
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 122.9 miles from Indiana, IA, or about 2h 21m 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 54 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.9 miles or 2h 21m 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 46m
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 Indiana, 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 Indiana, IA
This is one driving day of about 245.7 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Indiana, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.9 and 245.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
55.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
151.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
6
244.5 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|South Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
245.2 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
$40.99 one way
$81.97 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$44.72
$89.44
premium
$5.25
$50.81
$101.63
diesel
$6.28
$60.71
$121.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.7
0
$25.80
$11.79
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.50
$9.83
EV Truck/SUV
98.3
1
$34.40
$15.72
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Indiana, IA
Morning
in Indiana on Friday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
S 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Morning
in Sioux City on Friday
Local time
6:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
4h 36m 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 predominantly on highways, with 93% of the 245.7 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80 without needing to exit. State Highway 5 marks the transition from the interstate system to surface roads, though it's a small portion of the overall trip. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits along the interstate segments.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
9/10
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 55.9 miles in near Ramp 72 J.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 245.7 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 55.9 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.7 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Indiana is a state in the heart of the Midwest region of the United States. Indiana is more than a fly-over state with one large metropolitan area, rural farmland, and cozy college towns.
Top landmarks
•National Road — road in the United States
•Indianapolis Zoo — zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
•Wyandotte Caves — park and its caverns in southern Indiana
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 4h 36m. Total distance: 245.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.9 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.7 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Sioux City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
