Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Sioux City, IA to Mediapolis, IA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 56m
Distance
358 mi
576 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 45m
★
6 AM
6h 57m
8 AM
7h 20m
10 AM
7h 5m
12 PM
7h 2m
3 PM
7h 6m
5 PM
7h 19m
8 PM
6h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Mediapolis, IA
tian Jin
Trip Overview
Sioux City, IA to Mediapolis, IA is 358 miles and takes about 6h 56m via I 80, I 29, and IA 163, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you within Iowa for its entirety, traversing the Midwest landscape. It's a straightforward trip that primarily uses major interstates, making it a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points. Given the relatively short driving time, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion without feeling overly rushed.
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
179 miles from Sioux City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 95.2 mi | 1h 42m |
| IA 163 | 76.5 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 29 | 75.6 mi | 1h 21m |
| IA 5 | 51.3 mi | 58m |
| I 880 | 16 mi | 17m |
| Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| Mediapolis Road | 10.6 mi | 18m |
| 220th Street | 7.4 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 95.2 mi, about 1h 42m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Sioux City, IA and Mediapolis, IA.
1
Start on this road
115 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
3
Turn right onto Court Street
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Court Street
4
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Floyd Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 29 South
7
Merge onto I 29
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 29
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 71
Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
9
Continue on I 880
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 880
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 80
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
I 80
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 80
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Ramp 72 H
Exit 123B
Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
14
Merge onto I 35
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 68
Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on IA 5
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto IA 5
19 mi
·
22 min
·
IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
18
Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92
32 mi
·
36 min
·
IA 5; IA 92
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
20
Merge onto IA 163
77 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
IA 163
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 234
22
Turn right onto US 218 Business
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Old US Highway 218
23
Turn left onto Winfield Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Winfield Avenue
24
Continue on 220th Street
7.4 mi
·
13 min
·
220th Street
25
At end of road, turn left onto Racine Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Racine Avenue
26
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
27
Continue on Mediapolis Road
11 mi
·
18 min
·
Mediapolis Road
28
Turn straight onto Main Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Main Street
29
Turn left onto North Orchard Street
73 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Orchard Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Orchard Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 56m drive, consider leaving Sioux City in the morning to give yourself plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and most of the route on major roads, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch is over 95 miles. While the fuel cost is estimated at $63, it’s always wise to top off before embarking on longer segments of interstate travel, especially on I 80.
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 179 miles from Sioux City, IA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 79 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179 miles or 3h 16m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mediapolis, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sioux City, 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 Sioux City, IA
This is one driving day of about 358 miles and 6h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Sioux City, 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 95.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 179 miles from Sioux City, 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 95.2 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
Rest Area
0 mi from route
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's
1.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 194.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
94 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16A
Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
9
189.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
|
I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
8
194.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 68
Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.52 one way
$119.04 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $64.83 | $129.67 |
| premium | $5.18 | $73.05 | $146.10 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $75.41 | $150.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.4 | 1 | $37.59 | $17.18 |
| Efficient EV | 89.5 | 1 | $31.33 | $14.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.2 | 1 | $50.12 | $22.91 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Sioux City, IA
Afternoon in Sioux City on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Mediapolis, IA
Afternoon in Mediapolis on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
E 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
3 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
6h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 89% of this 358-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 95.2 miles on I 80. Expect to transition from interstate cruising to Iowa state highways as you near your destination. The density of exits will likely decrease as you move away from the main interstates.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 80 and IA 163. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near 5th Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 358 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 0.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Floyd Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,316 ft
736 ft
Total Climb
447 ft
Total Descent
876 ft
Highest Point
1,316 ft
~153.4 mi in
Elevation Range
580 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sioux City, IA and Mediapolis, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.
Minneapolis
189.6 mi in
|
~3h 27m
|
via I 80
Kansas City
189.6 mi in
|
~3h 27m
|
via I 80
Des Moines
194.1 mi in
|
~3h 33m
Norwalk
194.1 mi in
|
~3h 33m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Coffee & Purrs
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sioux City, IA
Visit websiteCaribou Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Friedrichs Coffee
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Des Moines, IA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCoffee & Bar
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Coffee & Bar
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Starbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Des Moines, IA
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websitePete’s Thai on 5th
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sioux City, IA
Cuisine: thai
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:05; Sa 11:00-21:05
Visit websiteLa Juanita
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sioux City, IA
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteJose's Family Restaurant
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sioux City, IA
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteJim's Burgers
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: burger
Burger King
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sioux City, IA
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:00-20:00; Su 07:00-20:00
Visit websiteLa Morena Good Morning
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sioux City, IA
Cuisine: mexican
Klasey Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Klasey Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Sioux City Public Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo off; Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 13:00-17:0...
Visit websitePublic Safety Memorial
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
This Is Sioux CIty
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sky Art
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hard Rock Guitar
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Museum
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Visit website
Sioux City Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Baymont
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Des Moines, IA
Visit websiteTown & Country Motel
Motel
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Motel 6
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Budget Host Inn
Motel
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Elmdale
Motel
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Mediapolis, IA
Full guide →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 6h 56m. Total distance: 358 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.2 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 Mediapolis, 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 0.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Floyd Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mediapolis, IA before the return drive.
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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