Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
156.1 mi
251 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Algona, IA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Sioux City, IA to Algona, IA covers 156.1 miles and takes about 3h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 220th Street, US 169, Highway 20 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on 220th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78 miles from Sioux City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Straightforward navigation.
The drive from Sioux City, IA to Algona, IA covers 156.1 miles and takes about 3h 21m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
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.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 21m 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 (7th Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto 9th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Court Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 7th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Iowa Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 20 Business / Gordon Drive
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 220th Street | 56.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 169 | 40.5 mi | 57m |
| Highway 20 | 39.4 mi | 47m |
| United States Highway 20 | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| 230th Street | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| Gordon Drive | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 20 Business | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City, IA and Algona, IA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto 9th Street
Turn right onto Court Street
Turn left onto 7th Street
Turn right onto Iowa Street
Turn left onto 6th Street
Continue on Fairmount Street
Turn left onto US 20 Business
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Continue on US 20
Take the exit onto US 20 Business
Turn left onto US 20 Business
Continue on US 20 Business
Continue on US 20 Business
Turn left onto US 169
Turn left onto East McGregor Street
Turn right onto South Jones Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 34 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algona, IA than in the middle of the route.
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 156.1 miles and 3h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78 mi from Sioux City, IA · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78 miles from Sioux City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Algona, 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 Algona, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.40 one way
$48.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.80 | $53.59 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.04 | $60.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.46 | $68.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Sioux City on Saturday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Morning in Algona on Saturday
Local time
9:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
74°F
Lake View, IA
78 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
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Sioux City, IA or browse trips ending in Algona, IA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse IA road trips.
