Trip from Walcott, IA to Sioux City, IA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 27m

Distance

352.8 mi

568 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 16m ★

6 AM

6h 28m

8 AM

6h 53m

10 AM

6h 37m

12 PM

6h 34m

3 PM

6h 38m

5 PM

6h 51m

8 PM

6h 20m

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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Walcott, IA

Quang Nguyen Vinh

city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa, United States

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Walcott, IA to Sioux City, IA is 352.8 miles and takes about 6h 27m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest, entirely within Iowa, making it a straightforward trip for those familiar with the region. It's a largely highway-based drive, so expect consistent travel speeds. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this trip is well-suited for a single day of driving, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

176.4 miles from Walcott, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 80	255.8 mi	4h 37m
I 29	75.3 mi	1h 21m
I 880	16.7 mi	17m
North Plainview Road	0.9 mi	1m
South Main Street	0.8 mi	2m
60th Avenue	0.6 mi	1m
South Floyd Boulevard	0.6 mi	1m
200th Street	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 80 — 255.8 mi, about 4h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Downey Street

52 ft · 4 sec · Downey Street

Turn right onto Bryant Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Bryant Street

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

At end of road, turn left onto CR F58; US 6 Hist

0.4 mi · 47 sec · 200th Street

Turn right onto CR Y40

0.6 mi · 1 min · 60th Avenue

Continue on CR Y40

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Plainview Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto I 80; US 6

155 mi · 2 hr 47 min · I 80; US 6

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 80; I 35

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 80; I 35

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

96 mi · 1 hr 42 min · I 80

Toward I 80 West: Omaha Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 38 sec

Exit 0B Toward I 29 North: Sioux City

Merge onto I 29

75 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 29

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Floyd Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto 5th Street

396 ft · 14 sec · 5th Street

Turn right onto Iowa Street

346 ft · 7 sec · Iowa Street

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street

426 ft · 17 sec · 6th Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Court Street

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Court Street

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 45 sec · 9th Street

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6h 27m drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $55 and a single recommended day, you can comfortably complete this trip without needing to break it up. Plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping in mind the longest stretch without a major highway change is over 255 miles on I 80. Pay attention to signage as you transition between I 80, I 29, and I 880 near the end of your trip.

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 176.4 miles from Walcott, IA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 255.8 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 78 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 176.4 miles or 3h 15m 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 20m

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 Walcott, 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 Walcott, IA

This is one driving day of about 352.8 miles and 6h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Walcott, 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 255.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

176 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

North Liberty, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 176.4 miles from Walcott, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 255.8 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.

Best meal stop · around the midpoint

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

De Soto, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset · 3h 14m in / 3h 14m to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ankeny, Iowa

2.8 mi

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

South Sioux City, Nebraska

2.8 mi

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Des Moines, Iowa

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 2h 46m in / 3h 42m to go 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Casey, Iowa

2.1 mi

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tiffin, Iowa

2.5 mi

Ambro's Roadhouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

De Soto, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+15158349174

Visit website

It's My Jam Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15158955526

Visit website

La Isla

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

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

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14024048022

Visit website

Cafe con Leche

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+15152628435

Visit website

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13195453131

Visit website

Main Street Cafe & Bakery (Ankeny)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Ankeny, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+15159647141

Visit website

Steak 'n Shake

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13198006117

Visit website

Bamboo Village Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Missouri Valley, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17126006542

The Slow Down Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+15156307000

Visit website

Casey Creamery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Casey, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16417462735

Visit website

Midnight Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Tiffin, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+13196262272

Visit website

Saints Rest Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16412366014

Visit website

Hyper Energy Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

North Liberty, Iowa

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13192598505

Visit website

Comeback Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16412360176

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route

Shelby, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Grinnell, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+13196255568

University Library Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Halfway reset 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+15152550433

Visit website

Barrel House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Coralville, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+13196262550

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 163.3 and 352.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

163.3 mi into trip | ~3h in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 80 West: Omaha

258.9 mi into trip | ~4h 43m 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

275.5 mi into trip | ~5h 1m 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

351.6 mi into trip | ~6h 24m in | South Floyd Boulevard

Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

352.3 mi into trip | ~6h 26m 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

$55.16 one way

$110.31 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$60.56	$121.12
premium	$4.89	$67.89	$135.79
diesel	$5.61	$77.89	$155.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 123.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	105.8	1	$37.04	$16.93
Efficient EV	88.2	1	$30.87	$14.11
EV Truck/SUV	141.1	1	$49.39	$22.58

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Walcott, IA

Late night in Walcott on Tuesday

Local time

5:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sioux City, IA

Late night in Sioux City on Tuesday

Local time

5:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

6h 27m 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?

This drive is predominantly on the interstate, with 99% of the 352.8 miles on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 255.8 miles on I 80 before transitioning to I 29 and I 880. Expect continuous cruising with a high proportion of highway driving, meaning you'll encounter frequent exits and potentially some urban merging as you approach Sioux City.

99% 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: 255.8 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 163.3 miles in near I 80.

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 18 significant decision points across 352.8 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 163.3 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.9 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 275.5 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 6h 27m. Total distance: 352.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 255.8 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 49 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 49 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sioux City, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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