Origin
Blue Grass, IA
Afternoon in Blue Grass on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
6h 36m
Distance
358.4 mi
577 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blue Grass, IA
Anna Romanova
Sioux City, IA
Castorly Stock
Traversing Iowa from Blue Grass to Sioux City covers 358.4 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 36 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused journey, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $54 for fuel as you navigate primarily through the heart of the Midwest. The route relies heavily on major interstate arteries, keeping the pace consistent throughout your travels. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, this path offers a reliable, no-nonsense connection across the state.
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
179.2 miles from Blue Grass, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
With 97% of the trip spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, interstate-heavy experience. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-80, which accounts for a substantial 255.8-mile stretch of your journey. The remainder of the drive transitions onto I-880 and I-29 to finalize your arrival in Sioux City. While the road is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, the sheer distance means you will be settling into a long-haul rhythm. Expect a predictable, high-speed drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
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 169 miles in near I 80.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 358.4 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 169 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.5 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 80 West: Omaha
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 29 North: Sioux City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 255.8 mi | 4h 37m |
| I 29 | 75.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 880 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| 70th Avenue | 5 mi | 8m |
| 200th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Plainview Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 60th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Floyd Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Grass, IA and Sioux City, IA.
Start on West Garonne Street
Turn left onto CR Y40
Continue on CR Y40
Continue on CR Y40
Continue on CR Y40
Turn left onto CR F58; US 6 Hist
Turn right onto CR Y40
Continue on CR Y40
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 80; US 6
Continue on I 80; I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 29
Take the exit
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Turn left onto 5th Street
Turn right onto Iowa Street
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
Turn right onto Court Street
Turn left onto 9th Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 358.4-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the long stretches on I-80. Since the drive is manageable in one day, leaving early in the morning allows you to avoid potential traffic fatigue and reach Sioux City with plenty of daylight left. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during that lengthy 255.8-mile stretch, as consistent highway speeds can impact your consumption. Having your $54 fuel budget ready will help keep your planning simple. Since this route is highly efficient, use that flexibility to time your single stop strategically to stretch your legs and reset for the final leg of the 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.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.2 miles or 3h 21m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sioux City, IA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Blue Grass, 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 Blue Grass, IA
This is one driving day of about 358.4 miles and 6h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.2 mi from Blue Grass, IA · 3h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 179.2 miles from Blue Grass, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 255.8 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$54.44 one way
$108.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $60.01 | $120.02 |
| premium | $4.80 | $67.66 | $135.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $79.62 | $159.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.5 | 1 | $37.63 | $17.20 |
| Efficient EV | 89.6 | 1 | $31.36 | $14.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.4 | 1 | $50.18 | $22.94 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Blue Grass on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
2:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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