Origin
Anamosa, IA
Afternoon in Anamosa on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anamosa, IA to Sioux City, IA
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
278.8 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 21m
★
6 AM
5h 34m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anamosa, IA
Tara Winstead
Sioux City, IA
Castorly Stock
Trip Overview
Crossing Iowa from Anamosa to Sioux City covers 278.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 34 minutes of drive time. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $42 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will rely on a mix of routes, including County Home Road, Highway 20, and the Avenue of the Saints. This drive is a straightforward transit through the Midwest, ideal for travelers who prefer a steady pace over a multi-day expedition. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, the route is manageable for a solo driver or a small group looking to reach the Missouri River by evening.
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
139.4 miles from Anamosa, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this 278.8-mile journey is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive. While 16% of the route utilizes major highways, you will spend a significant portion navigating regional roads that require more driver attention than a standard interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted segment spans 202.3 miles along the Avenue of the Saints, providing a consistent flow before you transition back to local stretches. These shifts in road type mean you should prepare for changing speed limits and more frequent navigational adjustments. It is a practical route that balances stretches of sustained momentum with the more technical demands of regional highway driving.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Avenue of the Saints is the longest continuous segment at about 202.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Cemetery Road.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 34m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (County Home Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 65.4 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Cemetery Road
At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
Navigation decision point
5
20.4 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
County Home Road
Enter roundabout onto County Home Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
276.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
|
South Fairmount Street
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
278.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m in
|
9th Street
Turn left onto 9th Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 202.3 mi | 3h 50m |
| Highway 20 | 42.9 mi | 53m |
| County Home Road | 16.4 mi | 22m |
| 160th Street | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Fairview Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| County Road E34 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| United States Highway 20 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| 6th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 202.3 mi, about 3h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anamosa, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on CR E28
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR E34
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
41 ft
·
1 sec
·
Cemetery Road
4
Turn right onto CR E34
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Elm Street
5
Continue on CR E34
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road E34
6
Turn right onto CR E34
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Fairview Road
7
Continue on CR E34
12 mi
·
16 min
·
County Home Road
8
Enter roundabout onto CR E34
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Home Road
9
Continue on CR E34
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
County Home Road
10
Enter roundabout onto County Home Road
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Home Road
11
Continue on County Home Road
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
County Home Road
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
13
Merge onto I 380; IA 27
42 mi
·
45 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
160 mi
·
3 hr 4 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
160th Street
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 20
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Highway 20
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on US 20
43 mi
·
53 min
·
Highway 20
Use the none lane.
18
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on 6th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
20
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
21
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
22
Turn right
115 ft
·
8 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop during the 5-hour and 34-minute duration to stretch and refuel. Since you are budgeting $42 for gas, filling up before leaving Anamosa can help you gauge your range before hitting the longer 202.3-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on the more turn-heavy local segments of the trip. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic or weather. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between Highway 20 and the local roads, as these turn-heavy sections require more focus than typical open-highway driving.
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 139.4 miles from Anamosa, IA, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.3 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 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 29m
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 Anamosa, 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 Anamosa, IA
This is one driving day of about 278.8 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anamosa, 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 Avenue of the Saints for about 202.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.4 mi from Anamosa, IA · 2h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.4 miles from Anamosa, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Avenue of the Saints if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 202.3 miles.
Arriving in Sioux City, IA
The final approach into Sioux City, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sioux City, IA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.35 one way
$84.69 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.68 | $93.37 |
| premium | $4.80 | $52.63 | $105.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.94 | $123.88 |
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: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.27 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.40 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.03 | $17.84 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
Sioux City, IA
Afternoon in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
139 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
32 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
5h 34m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Anamosa, IA to Sioux City, IA covers 278.8 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, Highway 20, County Home Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.4 miles from Anamosa, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.35 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 34m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Cemetery Road): Navigation decision point; at 20.4 miles (County Home Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 65.4 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Anamosa, IA to Sioux City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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