Origin
Sioux City, IA
Afternoon in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
4:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sioux City, IA to Belle Plaine, IA
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
249.7 mi
402 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 57m
8 AM
5h 24m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 4m
3 PM
5h 8m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux City, IA
Castorly Stock
Belle Plaine, IA
Tomás Asurmendi
Trip Overview
Spanning 249.7 miles across the Iowa landscape, this trip from Sioux City to Belle Plaine is a straightforward journey through the Midwest. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 4 hours and 57 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting about $38 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the route is manageable in one go, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The path connects two points within the same state, offering a consistent regional feel as you transition between these Midwestern locations.
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
124.8 miles from Sioux City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive that transitions between local roads and major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of 220th Street, US 30, and Highway 20, with roughly 60% of your travel occurring on highways. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 93.4-mile stretch along 220th Street, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. Because the road conditions shift from local routes to primary highways, you will experience a balanced mix of steady cruising and more technical driving. Staying alert to these changes in road type will keep your drive smooth and predictable.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
220th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 93.4 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 9th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 249.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (7th Street): Navigation decision point.
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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
9th Street
Turn left onto 9th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Court Street
Turn right onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
7th Street
Turn left onto 7th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Iowa Street
Turn right onto Iowa Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 20 Business / Gordon Drive
Turn left onto US 20 Business / Gordon Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 93.4 mi | 1h 47m |
| US 30 | 66.3 mi | 1h 16m |
| Highway 20 | 39.4 mi | 47m |
| I 35 | 30.4 mi | 32m |
| United States Highway 20 | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| IA 21 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Gordon Drive | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
220th Street
— 93.4 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City, IA and Belle Plaine, IA.
1
Start on this road
115 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
9th Street
3
Turn right onto Court Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Court Street
4
Turn left onto 7th Street
399 ft
·
19 sec
·
7th Street
5
Turn right onto Iowa Street
423 ft
·
23 sec
·
Iowa Street
6
Turn left onto 6th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
7
Continue on Fairmount Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fairmount Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto US 20 Business
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Gordon Drive
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on US 20
39 mi
·
47 min
·
Highway 20
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on US 20
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
United States Highway 20
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 20
93 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
220th Street
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Des Moines
13
Merge onto I 35
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 35
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 30 East: Nevada
15
Merge onto US 30
66 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
US 30
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
17
Turn right onto IA 21
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
IA 21
18
Turn right onto IA 21
45 ft
·
0 sec
·
7th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
IA 21
Trip Plan
To make the most of this nearly five-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is well-suited for a single day of travel, departing early in the morning allows you to reach Belle Plaine with plenty of daylight to spare. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 93.4-mile segment on 220th Street, as service options may be more limited compared to the highway portions. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace based on the traffic flow along US 30 and Highway 20. Checking your navigation before hitting the rural stretches will help ensure you stay on track throughout the journey.
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 124.8 miles from Sioux City, IA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.4 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 124.8 miles or 2h 31m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belle Plaine, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sioux City, 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 Sioux City, IA
This is one driving day of about 249.7 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sioux City, 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 220th Street for about 93.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.8 mi from Sioux City, IA · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 124.8 miles from Sioux City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before 220th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.4 miles.
Arriving in Belle Plaine, IA
The final approach into Belle Plaine, 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 Belle Plaine, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.93 one way
$75.85 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $41.81 | $83.62 |
| premium | $4.80 | $47.14 | $94.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.47 | $110.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.9 | 0 | $26.22 | $11.99 |
| Efficient EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.96 | $15.98 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Belle Plaine, IA
Afternoon in Belle Plaine on Sunday
Local time
4:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 57m 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 Sioux City, IA to Belle Plaine, IA covers 249.7 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 220th Street, US 30, Highway 20. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.8 miles from Sioux City, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.93 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 249.7 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (9th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Court Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (7th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Sioux City, IA to Belle Plaine, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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