Mount Pleasant, IA to Sioux City, IA is 335.3 miles and takes about 6h 18m via I 80 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing the heart of Iowa on a primarily highway-focused path. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, making it a straightforward journey for those prioritizing speed and efficiency. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
167.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
94.8 mi
1h 41m
I 29
75.3 mi
1h 21m
US 34
54.5 mi
1h 2m
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-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,582 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,907
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Mount Pleasant, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on South White Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·South White Street
2
Turn left onto US 34 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
3
Continue on US 34 Business
2.4 mi·3 min·235th Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 34 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·US 34 Business
Toward US 34, IA 163 West: Fairfield, Ottumwa
5
Merge onto US 34; IA 163
55 mi·1 hr 2 min·US 34; IA 163
6
Continue on US 63; IA 163
17 mi·19 min·US 63; IA 163
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
8
Turn left onto IA 92
32 mi·36 min·A Avenue West
9
Turn right
0.1 mi·7 sec
10
Continue on IA 5
19 mi·22 min·State Highway 5
11
Merge onto US 65; IA 5
12 mi·14 min·Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
13
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi·5 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi·40 sec·John MacVicar Freeway
16
Merge onto I 80
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 0BToward I 29 North: Sioux City
19
Merge onto I 29
75 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 29
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
21
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft·14 sec·5th Street
23
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft·7 sec·Iowa Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft·17 sec·6th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Court Street
26
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
27
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 18m estimated drive time, starting your journey in Mount Pleasant in the morning will allow you to reach Sioux City well before sunset. The route involves only one suggested stop, but it's wise to plan for additional brief breaks to stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 94.8-mile stretch on I 80, as services can sometimes be spaced out on long interstate segments. The $52 fuel cost estimate is a helpful benchmark for budgeting.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.6 miles from Mount Pleasant, IA, or about 3h 15m 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 74 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.6 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, IA
This is one driving day of about 335.3 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Mount Pleasant, 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 145.5 and 334.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
145.5 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
241.3 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
258 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
334 mi into trip|~6h 15m in|South Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
334.8 mi into trip|~6h 16m 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
$49.52 one way
$99.03 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$54.66
$109.33
premium
$4.72
$62.25
$124.51
diesel
$4.80
$63.31
$126.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.6
1
$35.21
$16.09
Efficient EV
83.8
0
$29.34
$13.41
EV Truck/SUV
134.1
1
$46.94
$21.46
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (67% 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
Mount Pleasant, IA
Evening
in Mount Pleasant on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 5 to 10 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:02PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Evening
in Sioux City on Saturday
Local time
8:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:02PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
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
6h 18m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 leans heavily into highway driving, with 84% of the journey on major roads like I 80 and I 29. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 94.8 miles solely on I 80. While the profile is 'highway-focused,' the transition between I 80 and I 29 will mark a noticeable shift in direction as you head north. The overall feel is one of covering distance efficiently rather than exploring winding backroads.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 145.5 miles in near Ramp 72 J.
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 23 significant decision points across 335.3 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 145.5 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.3 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,402 ft708 ft
Total Climb
897 ft
Total Descent
417 ft
Highest Point
1,402 ft
~191.6 mi in
Elevation Range
694 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 Mount Pleasant, IA to Sioux City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Knoxville 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 6h 18m. Total distance: 335.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 145.5 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.3 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 258 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.
