Trip from Sioux City, IA to Villisca, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 17m

Distance

164.7 mi

265 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 5m ★

6 AM

3h 17m

8 AM

3h 41m

10 AM

3h 26m

12 PM

3h 23m

3 PM

3h 27m

5 PM

3h 40m

8 PM

3h 10m

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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city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa, United States

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Villisca, IA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 164.7-mile journey from Sioux City, IA, to Villisca, IA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 17 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving to speak of, making it a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $25, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. Given its manageable length and the nature of the drive, this route is perfect for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and stopovers. Both your starting point and destination are located within the Midwest region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your drive.

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

82.4 miles from Sioux City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 29	75.6 mi	1h 21m
630th Street	30.8 mi	42m
I 80	26.6 mi	28m
I 880	16 mi	17m
590th Street	4.8 mi	6m
State Highway 83	1.9 mi	2m
Whitney Street	1.7 mi	2m
East 7th Street	1.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 29 — 75.6 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

115 ft · 13 sec · this road

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street

Turn right onto Court Street

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Court Street

Turn left onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · 5th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Floyd Boulevard

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 29 South

Merge onto I 29

76 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 29

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 71 Toward I 880 East: Des Moines

Continue on I 880

16 mi · 17 min · I 880

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 43 sec

Exit 16A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 80

27 mi · 28 min · I 80

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward IA 173

Turn right onto IA 173

4.8 mi · 6 min · 590th Street

At end of road, turn left onto IA 83

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Highway 83

Continue on IA 83

0.9 mi · 1 min · Marne Road

Continue on West 2nd Street

0.1 mi · 21 sec · West 2nd Street

Turn right onto Walnut Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Walnut Street

Turn left onto US 6; IA 83

1.4 mi · 3 min · East 7th Street

Turn right onto US 71

1.7 mi · 2 min · Whitney Street

Continue on US 71

31 mi · 42 min · 630th Street

Turn left onto West High Street

323 ft · 10 sec · West High Street

Turn right onto North U Avenue

0.4 mi · 57 sec · North U Avenue

Turn left onto West 3rd Street

0.5 mi · 52 sec · West 3rd Street

Arrive at destination

East 3rd Street

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this 164.7-mile drive from Sioux City to Villisca is best tackled in one day, offering plenty of flexibility. You can depart whenever suits your schedule, and with only one recommended stop, you won't feel rushed. The $25 fuel cost is quite economical, so plan to fill up before you leave Sioux City to ensure you have ample gas for the local road navigation. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means frequent adjustments are part of the experience.

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 82.4 miles from Sioux City, IA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.6 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 36 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.4 miles or 1h 32m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Villisca, 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 164.7 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 29 for about 75.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Council Bluffs, IA

82 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.

Popular next leg

Council Bluffs, IA to Villisca, IA

66.4 mi · 1h 38m

Pacing Suggestions

Onawa, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Council Bluffs, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.4 miles from Sioux City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.6 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

Downtowner Café & Catering

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Atlantic, Iowa

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 129.4

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+17122432183

Farmers Walnut Street Diner

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlantic, Iowa

0.1 mi

The Rialto Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Villisca, Iowa

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

coffeegirl

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 105.9

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+17123432419

Visit website

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

Minden Bowl Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.1

Minden, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+17124832512

Visit website

coffeegirl

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 129.4

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17122501539

Visit website

Neighbors Coffee Shop & Café

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 129.4

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 105.9

Avoca, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

0.3 mi from route

Fireside Lounge

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.4

Atlantic, Iowa

Hours: 12 pm–2 am

+17122432426

Hayloft

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 152.9

Grant, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17127634425

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 0 and 94 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | 9th Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | Court Street

Turn right onto Court Street

Navigation decision point

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | 5th Street

Turn left onto 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | Floyd Boulevard

Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.75 one way

$51.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$28.27	$56.54
premium	$4.89	$31.70	$63.39
diesel	$5.61	$36.36	$72.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	49.4	$17.29	$7.91
Efficient EV	41.2	$14.41	$6.59
EV Truck/SUV	65.9	$23.06	$10.54

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sioux City, IA

Late night in Sioux City on Sunday

Local time

3:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Villisca, IA

Late night in Villisca on Sunday

Local time

3:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°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

26 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

3h 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 164.7-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be engaging with the road frequently, making numerous turns as you traverse local streets like 9th Street, Court Street, and 5th Street. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving noted, suggesting a constant need for attention to navigation. This type of driving profile offers a more intimate connection with the landscape and communities you pass through, as opposed to a high-speed highway experience.

73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 75.6 mi on I 29.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and 630th Street. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 9th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.7 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting 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 3h 17m. Total distance: 164.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75.6 miles on I 29. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 20 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 Villisca, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Villisca, 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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Trip from Sioux City, IA to Villisca, IA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Downtowner Café & Catering

coffeegirl

Downtowner Café & Catering

Farmers Walnut Street Diner

The Rialto Cafe

The Flour Mill - Atlantic

Touchdown Beer & Grill

The Embers Restaurant and Lounge

La Isla

Minden Bowl Cafe

coffeegirl

Neighbors Coffee Shop & Café

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Shell Recharge Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

EV Connect Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Rest Area

Rest Area

Iowa DOT Rest Area (Parking Only)

Rest Area

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Flying J - Avoca

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Fireside Lounge

Hayloft

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sioux City, IA

Villisca, IA

Same local time

26 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 17m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Sioux City, IA

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Villisca, IA

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