Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
304.2 mi
490 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tiffin, IA
FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
This 304.2-mile drive from Tiffin, IA, to Sioux City, IA, will take you approximately 5 hours and 33 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip primarily using I-80, I-29, and I-880, with 99% of the journey on interstates. Given its duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You can expect the fuel cost to be around $48 for this journey. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent driving experience across Iowa.
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
152.1 miles from Tiffin, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 208.9 mi | 3h 46m |
| I 29 | 75.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 880 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| South Roberts Ferry Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Floyd Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Court Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 9th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tiffin, IA and Sioux City, IA.
Start on East 3rd Street
Turn left onto South Roberts Ferry Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 29
Take the exit
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Turn left onto 5th Street
Turn right onto Iowa Street
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
Turn right onto Court Street
Turn left onto 9th Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour and 33-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Tiffin to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, plan for at least one fuel stop, perhaps midway through the 208.9-mile stretch on I-80. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops, but aim for a break around the 2.5 to 3-hour mark to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on weather conditions, especially during winter months, as I-80 can be affected by snow and ice.
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.
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 67 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.1 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tiffin, 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 Tiffin, IA
This is one driving day of about 304.2 miles and 5h 33m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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.
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 152.1 miles from Tiffin, 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 208.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 114.7 and 303.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 North: Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$47.56 one way
$95.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $52.22 | $104.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $58.54 | $117.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.16 | $134.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.3 | 1 | $31.94 | $14.60 |
| Efficient EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.62 | $12.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.7 | 1 | $42.59 | $19.47 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Tiffin on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Sioux City on Saturday
Local time
8:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
74°F
Coo n Rapids, IA
152 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entirety of this 304.2-mile journey, as 99% of the route utilizes major interstates. The primary corridor is I-80, where you'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 208.9 miles. This means the personality of the drive is largely defined by consistent, high-speed travel on well-maintained interstates. While the roads are predominantly wide and direct, the landscape remains a consistent Midwest panorama throughout the 5.5-hour trip.
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 114.7 miles in near I 80.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 304.2 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 114.7 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.2 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 304.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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