Origin
Bellevue, IA
Afternoon in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellevue, IA to Sioux City, IA
Drive Time
6h 28m
Distance
322.5 mi
519 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Bellevue, IA
Kelly
Sioux City, IA
Castorly Stock
Trip Overview
Crossing Iowa from Bellevue to Sioux City covers 322.5 miles, a journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 28 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance for a dedicated driver, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $49 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will utilize a combination of US 52, Highway 20, and the Avenue of the Saints to navigate across the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a straightforward path through the heart of the Midwest. It serves as a practical, efficient connection between these two Iowa points.
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
161.3 miles from Bellevue, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between different road types throughout the 322.5-mile journey. With about 40% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will find a balance between faster transit and more local road segments. The longest stretch you will encounter is a 160.2-mile run along the Avenue of the Saints, which provides a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel time. As you navigate from Bellevue to Sioux City, the personality of the road shifts from the initial local stretches to the more expansive highway corridors. Be prepared for a varied rhythm behind the wheel that keeps the drive engaging without feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 160.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.6 miles in near US 52.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 322.5 miles you will encounter 8 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 27.6 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.2 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 320.6 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
27.6 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 52
Turn left onto US 52 toward US 20 East, US 52 North: Waterloo, Dyersville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 20 East, US 52 North: Waterloo, Dyers...
6
109.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
320.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m in
|
South Fairmount Street
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
322.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 27m in
|
9th Street
Turn left onto 9th Street
Navigation decision point
5
322.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 28m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Bellevue, IA to Sioux City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Dyersville along the way.
Dyersville
27.6 mi in
|
~39m
|
via US 52
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Avenue of the Saints | 160.2 mi | 3h 4m |
| US 52 | 82 mi | 1h 35m |
| Highway 20 | 42.9 mi | 53m |
| Great River Road | 16.7 mi | 22m |
| 160th Street | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Southwest Arterial | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| South Riverview Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| United States Highway 20 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Avenue of the Saints
— 160.2 mi, about 3h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellevue, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on US 52
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Riverview Street
2
Continue on US 52
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Great River Road
3
Continue on US 52
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Great River Road
5
Continue on US 52
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bellevue Road
6
Turn left onto US 61; US 151; US 52
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 61; US 151; US 52
7
Take the exit onto US 52
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 52
Toward US 52 North
8
Continue on US 52
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest Arterial
9
Enter roundabout onto US 52
100 ft
·
5 sec
·
Southwest Arterial
10
Continue on US 52
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Southwest Arterial
11
Turn left onto US 52
82 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 52
Toward US 20 East, US 52 North: Waterloo, Dyersville
Use the left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 20; IA 27
160 mi
·
3 hr 4 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 20
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
160th Street
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 20
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Highway 20
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 20
43 mi
·
53 min
·
Highway 20
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto South Fairmount Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Fairmount Street
Use the right lane.
17
Continue on 6th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
18
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
19
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
20
Turn right
115 ft
·
8 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 28-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $49, keeping a close eye on your tank levels during the 160.2-mile stretch on the Avenue of the Saints is a smart move. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to ensure you reach Sioux City before the end of the day while maintaining a relaxed pace. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic patterns or personal preference. Remember that the route's mixed nature means your speed will fluctuate, so build in a little extra time for those slower segments on Highway 20 and US 52.
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 161.3 miles from Bellevue, IA, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.2 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.3 miles or 3h 14m 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 13m
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 Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, IA
This is one driving day of about 322.5 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bellevue, 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 160.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.3 mi from Bellevue, IA · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 161.3 miles from Bellevue, 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 160.2 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
$48.98 one way
$97.97 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $54.00 | $108.00 |
| premium | $4.80 | $60.88 | $121.76 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.65 | $143.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.86 | $15.48 |
| Efficient EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129 | 1 | $45.15 | $20.64 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
42°F
Waterloo, IA
161 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
7 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 28m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bellevue, IA to Sioux City, IA covers 322.5 miles and takes about 6h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Avenue of the Saints, US 52, Highway 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.3 miles from Bellevue, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.98 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 322.5 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.6 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.2 miles (US 20; IA 27 / Avenue of the Saints): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 320.6 miles (South Fairmount Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bellevue, IA to Sioux City, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Dyersville along the way.
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