Origin
Oakland, IA
Late night in Oakland on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakland, 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
2h 17m
Distance
117.4 mi
189 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakland, IA
Robert So
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 117.4-mile drive from Oakland, IA to Sioux City, IA is a straightforward journey perfect for a single day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 17 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-29 and I-880, with a brief section on 380th Street, the route offers an 84% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $18, this Midwest to Midwest trip is an economical option for a quick excursion. You'll find this drive to be a focused highway experience, making it easy to cover ground efficiently without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Oakland, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 75.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 880 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| 380th Street | 11 mi | 15m |
| I 80 | 6.2 mi | 6m |
| Honeysuckle Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| 385th Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Floyd Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Tamarack Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 75.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakland, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on Oakland Avenue
111 ft
·
7 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
2
Turn left onto North Kearney Street
369 ft
·
23 sec
·
North Kearney Street
3
Turn left onto US 6; US 59
450 ft
·
12 sec
·
US 6; US 59
4
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
5
Continue on CR G42
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Honeysuckle Road
6
Continue on CR M16
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
380th Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR G30; CR M16
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
380th Street
8
Turn right onto CR G18; CR M16
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Tamarack Avenue
9
Turn left onto CR M16
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
385th Street
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
11
Merge onto I 80
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 80
12
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.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
14
Merge onto I 29
75 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 29
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
16
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft
·
14 sec
·
5th Street
18
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft
·
7 sec
·
Iowa Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
21
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
22
Turn right
115 ft
·
8 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 2-hour duration, this route from Oakland to Sioux City is ideal for a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the estimated $18 cost and the longest stretch of 75.3 miles on I-29. While this drive is predominantly highway, it's always wise to be aware of any potential construction or traffic, especially as you approach Sioux City. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Oakland, IA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.3 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 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 1h 51m
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 Oakland, 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 Oakland, IA
This is one driving day of about 117.4 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Oakland, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 29 for about 75.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.7 miles from Oakland, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 116.9 — 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
|
US 6; US 59
Turn left onto US 6; US 59
Navigation decision point
9
23.4 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
40.1 mi into trip
|
~50m 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
116.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
|
South Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
116.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
$18.35 one way
$36.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.59 | $45.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.92 | $51.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Late night in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
5:13 AM
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
4 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
2h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 84% of the route being on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 75.3 miles on I-29, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the journey. While primarily interstate, there's a segment on 380th Street that provides a slight variation. This route is designed for covering distance effectively, with minimal deviations from major roadways.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.3 mi on I 29.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and I 880. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 6; US 59.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 117.4 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 0.1 miles (US 6; US 59): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.1 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 2h 17m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.3 miles on I 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 6; US 59): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sioux City, IA before heading back.
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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