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Trip from Lamoni, 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

4h 45m

Distance

260.7 mi

420 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 32m ★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 38m

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 Lamoni, IA, IA

Lamoni, IA

Luis Quintero

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

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 260.7-mile journey from Lamoni, IA to Sioux City, IA is a straightforward drive within the Midwest, primarily traversing Iowa. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 45 minutes on the road, making it a feasible day trip, though you could certainly break it up if preferred. The route relies heavily on interstates, with 98% of the drive on major highways, and you'll want to budget around $41 for fuel. This is a functional, highway-focused trip designed for efficient travel between these two Iowa cities.

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

130.4 miles from Lamoni, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 94.8 mi 1h 41m
I 29 75.3 mi 1h 21m
I 35 68.1 mi 1h 13m
I 880 16.7 mi 17m
West Main Street 2.4 mi 3m
South Floyd Boulevard 0.6 mi 1m
John MacVicar Freeway 0.5 mi <1m
Ramp 72 J 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 94.8 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West 4th Street

125 ft · 5 sec · West 4th Street
2

Turn right onto South Chestnut Street

237 ft · 12 sec · South Chestnut Street
3

Turn right onto US 69

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
5

Merge onto I 35

68 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 J

0.5 mi · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
Exit 72B Toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 235

0.5 mi · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
8

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 880

17 mi · 17 min · I 880
Exit 27 Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 0B Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
11

Merge onto I 29

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 29
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
13

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto 5th Street

396 ft · 14 sec · 5th Street
15

Turn right onto Iowa Street

346 ft · 7 sec · Iowa Street
16

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street

426 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street
18

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street
19

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour and 45 minute duration, an early morning departure from Lamoni will allow you to reach Sioux City with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $41, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 94.8 miles on I-80, as services can be spaced out. This is a relatively short drive, so enjoy the ability to make spontaneous stops if needed.

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 130.4 miles from Lamoni, IA, or about 2h 22m 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 57 miles or 1h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 130.4 miles or 2h 22m 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 52m

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 Lamoni, 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 Lamoni, IA

This is one driving day of about 260.7 miles and 4h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Lamoni, 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.

city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avoca, IA

130 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

West Des Moines, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Audubon, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.4 miles from Lamoni, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 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

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Walnut, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Hitchin Post Bar And Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bevington, Iowa

1 mi

Early Bird West Des Moines

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Casey, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.7

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Waukee, Iowa

2 mi

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

2.4 mi

The Backfield Bar & Grill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 149

Walnut, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17127842700

Visit website

Hitchin Post Bar And Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.9

Bevington, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+15154621908

Visit website

Early Bird West Des Moines

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+15155282212

Visit website

Desi Fresh Indian Restaurant & Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15154109494

Visit website

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 74.5

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

Stack Wellness Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159877392

Visit website

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 74.5

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15155133330

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 111.7

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Playgrounds Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 74.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15156446331

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 74.5

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15156446155

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 74.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15152078041

Visit website

Vintage Road Coffee Co. - MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 74.5

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13193210534

Visit website

Life Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Urbandale, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

SweetDude Coffee & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 8:30 am–4:30 pm

+15155090915

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 260.7

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 260.7

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 260.7

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 260.7

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 260.7

Sioux City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 260.7

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 74.5

Waukee, Iowa

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 74.5

Waukee, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.5

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152239605

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 70.9 and 260.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
70.9 mi into trip | ~1h 18m 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
166.8 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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
183.4 mi into trip | ~3h 19m 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
259.5 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in | South Floyd Boulevard

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
260.2 mi into trip | ~4h 43m 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

$40.76 one way

$81.51 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $44.75 $89.50
premium $4.89 $50.17 $100.34
diesel $5.61 $57.56 $115.12

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: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.2 0 $27.37 $12.51
Efficient EV 65.2 0 $22.81 $10.43
EV Truck/SUV 104.3 1 $36.50 $16.68

Gas CO2

91 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Lamoni, IA

Morning in Lamoni on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Morning in Sioux City on Sunday

Local time

6:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

50°F

Avoca, IA

130 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

25 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 45m 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?

You'll be spending almost all of your time on high-speed interstates, covering 98% of this route on major highways. The profile is decidedly 'highway-focused,' meaning you'll experience long stretches of consistent driving. Be prepared for the longest uninterrupted segment of 94.8 miles on I-80. This drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding backroads, offering a predictable and direct path.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 70.9 miles in near Ramp 72 J.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 260.7 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 70.9 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.8 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 4h 45m. Total distance: 260.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.

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 70.9 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 166.8 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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