Origin
Sioux City, IA
Late night in Sioux City on Saturday
Local time
2:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sioux City, IA to Fort Madison, IA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 8m
Distance
375.6 mi
604 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 57m
★
6 AM
7h 8m
8 AM
7h 30m
10 AM
7h 16m
12 PM
7h 14m
3 PM
7h 17m
5 PM
7h 29m
8 PM
7h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sioux City, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Madison, IA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Sioux City, IA to Fort Madison, IA covers 375.6 miles and takes about 7h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 9th Street, Court Street, 5th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.72 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.8 miles from Sioux City, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 375.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 8m drive with frequent turns across 375.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
9th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 8m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sioux City, IA to Fort Madison, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 9th Street | — | — |
| Court Street | — | — |
| 5th Street | — | — |
| Floyd Boulevard | — | — |
| I 29 South | — | — |
| I 880 East | — | — |
| I 80 East | — | — |
| I 35 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
9th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City, IA and Fort Madison, IA.
1
Start on the route
115 ft
·
14 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
9th Street
3
Turn right onto Court Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
Court Street
4
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
5th Street
5
Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Floyd Boulevard
6
Take the ramp left toward I 29 South
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
I 29 South
7
Merge slight left
76 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 880 East: Des Moines
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 880 East: Des Moines
9
Continue straight
16 mi
·
17 min
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 East: Des Moines
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 80 East: Des Moines
11
Merge slight right
95 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South: Kansas City
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 35 South: Kansas City
14
Merge slight left
3.8 mi
·
4 min
15
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk
16
Continue on Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
17
Take the exit slight right toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
19 mi
·
22 min
·
IA 5 South: Carlisle
18
Turn left
32 mi
·
36 min
19
Take the exit right
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
20
Merge slight left
78 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
21
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Avenue of the Saints
22
Take the exit slight right toward IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
IA 2: Donnellson, Fort Madison
23
Turn left onto State Highway 2
8.9 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 2
24
Continue on Avenue O
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue O
25
Continue on Old Highway 61
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Old Highway 61
26
Continue on Avenue L
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Avenue L
27
Turn left onto 18th Street
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
18th Street
28
Turn right onto Avenue H
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue H
29
Turn right onto Avenue I
138 ft
·
12 sec
·
Avenue I
30
Turn left
62 ft
·
4 sec
31
Arrive at your 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.8 miles from Sioux City, IA, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
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 83 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.8 miles or 3h 34m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Madison, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sioux City, IA
This is one driving day of about 375.6 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Sioux City, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 187.8 mi from Sioux City, IA · 3h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.8 miles from Sioux City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Madison, IA
The final approach into Fort Madison, 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 Fort Madison, 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
$58.72 one way
$117.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $64.47 | $128.95 |
| premium | $4.89 | $72.28 | $144.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.93 | $165.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.7 | 1 | $39.44 | $18.03 |
| Efficient EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.2 | 1 | $52.58 | $24.04 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Fort Madison, IA
Late night in Fort Madison on Saturday
Local time
2:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°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
24 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
7h 8m 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 Sioux City, IA to Fort Madison, IA covers 375.6 miles and takes about 7h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 9th Street, Court Street, 5th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 187.8 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 $58.72 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 8m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sioux City, IA to Fort Madison, IA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sioux City, IA to Fort Madison, 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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