Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Norwalk, IA to Sioux City, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
202.6 mi
326 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Norwalk, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Norwalk, IA to Sioux City, IA is 202.6 miles and takes about 3h 45m via I 80 and I 29, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within the Midwest, traversing the state of Iowa. For the most part, you'll be on major interstate highways, making for a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a driving time under four hours, this is a very manageable same-day excursion, perfect for a quick move or a visit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.3 miles from Norwalk, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 94.8 mi | 1h 41m |
| I 29 | 75.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 880 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| I 35 | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 28 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| South Floyd Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| John MacVicar Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Norwalk, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto IA 28
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Sunset Drive
3
Continue on IA 28
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 28
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto IA 5
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I-35 north: Minneapolis
7
Merge onto I 35
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Merge onto I 235
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
John MacVicar Freeway
10
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
13
Merge onto I 29
75 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 29
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
15
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft
·
14 sec
·
5th Street
17
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft
·
7 sec
·
Iowa Street
18
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
20
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
21
Turn right
115 ft
·
8 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 45m estimated drive time, leaving Norwalk in the morning will get you to Sioux City well before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can choose when and where to take breaks based on your comfort level. The longest stretch without exiting is nearly 95 miles on I 80, so plan your fuel and restroom needs before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimate around $32, it's a budget-friendly trip, so you have flexibility in your schedule.
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 101.3 miles from Norwalk, IA, or about 1h 53m 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 1h 53m 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 3m
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 Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, IA
This is one driving day of about 202.6 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Norwalk, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.3 miles from Norwalk, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Iowa DOT Rest Area (Parking Only)
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J - Avoca
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Love's
1.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 202.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12.8 mi into trip
|
~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
108.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
201.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
|
South Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
202.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$31.41 one way
$62.82 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $34.44 | $68.88 |
| premium | $4.93 | $39.31 | $78.62 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $44.66 | $89.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.27 | $9.72 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.73 | $8.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81 | 1 | $28.36 | $12.97 |
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.
Origin
Norwalk, IA
Late night in Norwalk on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 2 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 5 at 3:05AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 5 at 3:02AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Late night in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 5 at 3:05AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 5 at 3:02AM CDT until September 5 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
62°F
Avoca, IA
101 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
3h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 96% of the trip on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 94.8 miles on I 80 before transitioning to I 29. Expect a fairly continuous cruising experience with minimal interruptions from surface streets. The high highway percentage means you'll likely encounter a consistent flow of traffic and a steady pace, with exits spaced out.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 12.8 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 202.6 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 12.8 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,357 ft
952 ft
Total Climb
598 ft
Total Descent
350 ft
Highest Point
1,357 ft
~57.9 mi in
Elevation Range
404 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Norwalk, IA
Full guide →Founded 1856
Arriving in Sioux City, IA
Full guide →Founded 1854
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
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 3h 45m. Total distance: 202.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles (Ramp 72 J): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.6 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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