Origin
Sioux City, IA
Afternoon in Sioux City on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sioux City, IA to Cherokee, IA
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
54.4 mi
88 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux City, IA
Castorly Stock
Cherokee, IA
Franco Monsalvo
Trip Overview
Connecting Sioux City to Cherokee, Iowa, this 54.4-mile journey is a straightforward Midwest drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. You will primarily navigate via US 75 Business, 530th Street, and County Road C38. Because the total travel time is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning there is no need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at around $8, it is an economical option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. The route keeps you entirely within the Midwest, providing a consistent regional experience as you transition between these two Iowa communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
27.2 miles from Sioux City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing localized travel with segments that keep you moving. Approximately 35% of your journey consists of highway driving, providing a decent pace before you transition to secondary roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on US 75 Business, which spans 19.1 miles. As you move away from the starting point, the road environment shifts from the urban-adjacent feel of US 75 to the more rural character of County Road C38 and 530th Street. Expect a steady, predictable pace that allows you to settle in behind the wheel without the intensity of heavy interstate traffic.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 75 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 19.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 9th Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 (11th Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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 left onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
11th Street
Turn right onto 11th Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 75 Business
Turn left onto US 75 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 75 Business | 19.1 mi | 25m |
| 530th Street | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| County Road C38 | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| 210th Street | 6 mi | 8m |
| C38 | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| West Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 11th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Terminal Drive | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 75 Business
— 19.1 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City, IA and Cherokee, IA.
1
Start on this road
115 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
9th Street
3
Turn left onto Court Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Court Street
4
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Street
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
6
Continue on Terminal Drive
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Terminal Drive
7
Turn right onto 18th Street
239 ft
·
8 sec
·
18th Street
8
Turn left onto US 75 Business
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 75 Business
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the ramp onto US 75 Business
16 mi
·
20 min
·
US 75 Business
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto CR C38
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road C38
11
Continue on CR C38
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
210th Street
12
Continue on CR C38
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
CR C38
13
Continue on CR C38
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
210th Street
14
Continue on CR C38
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road C38
15
Continue on CR C38
15 mi
·
19 min
·
530th Street
16
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
17
Turn right onto US 59
156 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 2nd Street
18
Turn right
104 ft
·
7 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. You won't need to stress about pacing multiple stops, as the trip is designed to be completed in one go without any required breaks. Budgeting about $8 for fuel should cover your needs, but it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Sioux City to avoid any mid-trip concerns. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from the main highway onto the county roads, as the shift from US 75 Business to local routes will be the most critical point for your timing. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route through the heart of Iowa.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 27.2 miles from Sioux City, IA, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.1 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 54.4 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.2 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cherokee, 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 54.4 miles and 1h 16m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 75 Business for about 19.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.2 mi from Sioux City, IA · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 54.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.2 miles from Sioux City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cherokee, IA
The final approach into Cherokee, 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 Cherokee, 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
$8.26 one way
$16.53 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.11 | $18.22 |
| premium | $4.80 | $10.27 | $20.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.09 | $24.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
| Efficient EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.76 | $2.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.62 | $3.48 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Cherokee, IA
Afternoon in Cherokee on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
47°F
Osceola County, IA
27 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
3 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
1h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Cherokee, IA covers 54.4 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 75 Business, 530th Street, County Road C38. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.2 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 $8.26 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 (11th Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Sioux City, IA to Cherokee, IA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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