Williamsburg, IA to Sioux City, IA is 287.5 miles and takes about 5h 15m via I 80, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within the Midwest, traversing Iowa from east to west. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it a solid choice for a single-day trip when you need to cover ground efficiently. Expect a consistent driving experience primarily on interstates, with minimal need for complex navigation. This route is ideal if your priority is reaching your destination without detours or significant time spent off the main roads.
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
143.8 miles from Williamsburg, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 80
191.2 mi
3h 27m
I 29
75.3 mi
1h 21m
I 880
16.7 mi
17m
State Highway 149
1.5 mi
2m
South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
South Highland Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Court Street
0.3 mi
<1m
9th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 191.2 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,933 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,316
Quietest
2 AM
~175 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Williamsburg, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on Court Street
142 ft·11 sec·Court Street
2
Turn left onto West Welsh Street
399 ft·13 sec·West Welsh Street
3
Turn left onto IA 149
0.4 mi·34 sec·South Highland Street
4
Continue on IA 149
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 149
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·45 sec
6
Merge onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi·1 hr 42 min·I 80
Toward I 80 West: OmahaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
17 mi·17 min·I 880
Exit 27Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux CityUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 0BToward I 29 North: Sioux City
10
Merge onto I 29
75 mi·1 hr 21 min·I 29
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
12
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft·14 sec·5th Street
14
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft·7 sec·Iowa Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft·17 sec·6th Street
Use the left lane.
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 5h 15m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 80, as services might be more spread out in certain sections. Planning a fuel stop before you hit that 191.2-mile segment on I 80 could prevent any unnecessary delays. The relatively short duration means you can afford to be spontaneous with any brief breaks you might want to take.
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 143.8 miles from Williamsburg, IA, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 191.2 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 63 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 miles or 2h 37m 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 16m
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 Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg, IA
This is one driving day of about 287.5 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Williamsburg, 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 191.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 98 and 287 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
98 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
9
193.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
6
210.2 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
6
286.3 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|South Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
287 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
$42.46 one way
$84.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$46.87
$93.74
premium
$4.72
$53.38
$106.76
diesel
$4.80
$54.29
$108.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.3
1
$30.19
$13.80
Efficient EV
71.9
0
$25.16
$11.50
EV Truck/SUV
115
1
$40.25
$18.40
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Williamsburg, IA
Late night
in Williamsburg on Sunday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Late night
in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Clear
S 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:27PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
65°F
Audubon, IA
144 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 15m 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 highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 80, I 29, and I 880. You'll encounter long, uninterrupted stretches, including one segment of 191.2 miles solely on I 80. The character of the drive is primarily that of efficient interstate travel, meaning you'll likely experience consistent speed limits and smooth pavement for the vast majority of your trip. While it's not a route known for winding roads or dramatic scenic shifts, its predictability makes it easy to maintain a steady pace.
99% 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: 191.2 mi on I 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 98 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 287.5 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 98 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.6 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 287.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 191.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 40 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 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 98 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.6 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
