Origin
Buffalo, IA
Evening in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
5:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, IA to Sioux City, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 45m
Distance
369 mi
594 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 34m
★
6 AM
6h 46m
8 AM
7h 10m
10 AM
6h 54m
12 PM
6h 52m
3 PM
6h 55m
5 PM
7h 8m
8 PM
6h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo, IA
Duc Nguyen
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Buffalo, IA to Sioux City, IA covers 369 miles and takes about 6h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 80, I 29, I 280 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 197.5 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
184.5 miles from Buffalo, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 45m. Total distance: 369 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 45m highway drive covering 369 miles, with most of the trip on I 80 and I 29. The longest continuous stretch is about 197.5 miles on I 80.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 80 is the longest continuous segment at about 197.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 179.5 miles in near I 80.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 369 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 179.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.1 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
179.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m 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
275.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m 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
291.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m 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
367.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 42m in
|
South Floyd Boulevard
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
368.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m in
|
6th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 80 | 197.5 mi | 3h 33m |
| I 29 | 75.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 280 | 71.9 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 880 | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| West Front Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Rockingham Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| South Floyd Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Court Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 80
— 197.5 mi, about 3h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, IA and Sioux City, IA.
1
Start on 2nd Street
35 ft
·
5 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
375 ft
·
16 sec
·
Jefferson Street
3
Turn left onto IA 22
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
West Front Street
4
Continue on IA 22
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Rockingham Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
6
Merge onto I 280
72 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 280
7
Continue on I 80
102 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
96 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 80
Toward I 80 West: Omaha
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 880
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 880
Exit 27
Toward I 880 West: North Omaha, Sioux City
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 0B
Toward I 29 North: Sioux City
11
Merge onto I 29
75 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 29
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Floyd Boulevard, Virginia Street
13
Turn right onto South Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Floyd Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto 5th Street
396 ft
·
14 sec
·
5th Street
15
Turn right onto Iowa Street
346 ft
·
7 sec
·
Iowa Street
16
Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Street
426 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Court Street
18
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
19
Turn right
115 ft
·
8 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 184.5 miles from Buffalo, IA, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 197.5 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 81 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.5 miles or 3h 24m 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 38m
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 Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, IA
This is one driving day of about 369 miles and 6h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Buffalo, 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 197.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.5 mi from Buffalo, IA · 3h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
185 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 184.5 miles from Buffalo, 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 197.5 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
$57.69 one way
$115.38 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
129 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $63.34 | $126.68 |
| premium | $4.89 | $71.01 | $142.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.47 | $162.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.7 | 1 | $38.75 | $17.71 |
| Efficient EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.29 | $14.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.6 | 1 | $51.66 | $23.62 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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
Evening in Sioux City on Friday
Local time
5:30 PM
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
3 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 45m 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 Buffalo, IA to Sioux City, IA covers 369 miles and takes about 6h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 80, I 29, I 280. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 184.5 miles from Buffalo, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.69 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 369 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 179.5 miles (I 80): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.1 miles (I 880): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Buffalo, IA to Sioux City, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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