This 223.8-mile journey from Waverly, IA to Sioux City, IA is a straightforward drive primarily utilizing US 20 and a portion of the Avenue of the Saints. Expect to be on the road for approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, it's an economical option for traversing the Midwest. The drive-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on highways, covering 89% of the route on them. This route is ideal for a single day of travel, 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
111.9 miles from Waverly, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 20
199.2 mi
3h 54m
Avenue of the Saints
12.8 mi
14m
University Avenue
5.4 mi
7m
4th Street Southwest
1.4 mi
3m
6th Street
0.9 mi
2m
US 218 Business
0.9 mi
1m
Grundy Road
0.8 mi
1m
4th Avenue Southwest
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 20
— 199.2 mi, about 3h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waverly, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on IA 3
62 ft·9 sec·West Bremer Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 218 Business
1.4 mi·3 min·4th Street Southwest
3
Continue on 4th Avenue Southwest
0.7 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Southwest
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 218 Business
0.9 mi·1 min·US 218 Business
5
Merge onto US 218; IA 27
13 mi·14 min·Avenue of the Saints
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 183Toward University Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork
333 ft·8 sec
8
Turn straight onto University Avenue
1.8 mi·2 min·University Avenue
9
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
124 ft·2 sec·University Avenue
10
Continue on University Avenue
3.5 mi·4 min·University Avenue
11
Continue on Grundy Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Grundy Road
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 20
199 mi·3 hr 54 min·US 20
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on 6th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·6th Street
16
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·Court Street
17
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·9th Street
18
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 31-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 200 miles on US 20, so plan for at least one fuel and rest stop beforehand. With a total distance of 223.8 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $34, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the halfway point will ensure a smooth drive. This route is straightforward, so focus on enjoying the efficient travel across Iowa.
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 111.9 miles from Waverly, IA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 199.2 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 49 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 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 3h 40m
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 Waverly, 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 Waverly, IA
This is one driving day of about 223.8 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Waverly, 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 US 20 for about 199.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.8 and 221.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
15.8 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward University Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 183
Toward University Avenue
5
16 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
17.8 mi into trip|~24m in|University Avenue
Enter roundabout onto University Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
22.2 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
221.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m in|South Fairmount Street
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.99 one way
$69.98 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.42
$76.83
premium
$4.89
$43.07
$86.14
diesel
$5.61
$49.41
$98.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.50
$10.74
Efficient EV
56
0
$19.58
$8.95
EV Truck/SUV
89.5
1
$31.33
$14.32
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Waverly, IA
Morning
in Waverly on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Morning
in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
11:13 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
1 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
4h 31m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 89% of the 223.8 miles spent on faster roads like US 20. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 199.2 miles on US 20, which suggests a consistent pace for much of the journey. The Avenue of the Saints also contributes to this highway feel, offering efficient travel. While the data doesn't detail specific road changes, a high highway share typically means fewer stops and a more direct path, making it suitable for covering distance efficiently.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 199.2 mi on US 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 20 and Avenue of the Saints. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 15.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 223.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 17.8 miles (University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 223.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 199.2 miles on US 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 17.8 miles (University Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sioux City, IA, but most travelers stay overnight.
