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Trip from Sioux City, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 19m

Distance

335.3 mi

540 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 7m ★
6 AM
6h 19m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 28m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 43m
8 PM
6h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city ​​in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in Iowa, United States

Sioux City, IA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Henry County, Iowa, United States

Mount Pleasant, IA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Sioux City, IA to Mount Pleasant, IA covers 335.3 miles and takes about 6h 19m 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, IA 163 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.2 miles on I 80. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.42 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

167.7 miles from Sioux City, IA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 80 95.2 mi 1h 42m
I 29 75.6 mi 1h 21m
IA 163 71.3 mi 1h 22m
IA 5 51.3 mi 58m
I 880 16 mi 17m
Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway 12.9 mi 14m
US 34 Business 4.4 mi 7m
I 35 3.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 80 — 95.2 mi, about 1h 42m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sioux City, IA and Mount Pleasant, 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

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Court Street
4

Turn left onto 5th Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard

0.6 mi · 1 min · Floyd Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 29 South
7

Merge onto I 29

76 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 29
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 71 Toward I 880 East: Des Moines
9

Continue on I 880

16 mi · 17 min · I 880
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 43 sec
Exit 16A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 80

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · I 80
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80

0.3 mi · 18 sec · I 80
Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit onto Ramp 72 H

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Ramp 72 H
Exit 123B Toward I 35 South: Kansas City
14

Merge onto I 35

3.8 mi · 4 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 68 Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on IA 5

13 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit onto IA 5

19 mi · 22 min · IA 5
Toward IA 5 South: Carlisle
18

Turn left onto IA 5; IA 92

32 mi · 36 min · IA 5; IA 92
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
20

Merge onto IA 163

71 mi · 1 hr 22 min · IA 163
21

Take the exit onto US 34 Business

4.4 mi · 7 min · US 34 Business
Exit 229 Toward US 34 Business East: Mount Pleasant, Westwood
22

Turn right onto South White Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · South White Street
23

Arrive at destination

South White Street

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 167.7 miles from Sioux City, IA, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.2 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 74 miles or 1h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 167.7 miles or 3h 4m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 335.3 miles and 6h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 I 80 for about 95.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

human settlement in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waukee, IA

168 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

Council Bluffs, IA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waukee, IA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 167.7 miles from Sioux City, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 80 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Adair, Iowa

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.7

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mt Pleasant, Iowa

0.3 mi

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

West Des Moines, Iowa

1.2 mi

Chuckwagon Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 143.7

Adair, Iowa

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+16417423611

Visit website

Pad Thai Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 335.3

Mt Pleasant, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–1:30 pm

+13193858520

Visit website

El Toreado Restaurant Bar & Grill . EP True

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 191.6

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15152262182

Visit website

Chowrastha Indian Grill & Eatery - Indian Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 191.6

West Des Moines, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+15153481054

Visit website

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 191.6

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15155133330

Visit website

Mi Mexico Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 191.6

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+15152226933

Visit website

Bamboo Village Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 71.9

Missouri Valley, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+17126006542

Club Car Restaurant & Lounge- Clive

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 191.6

Clive, Iowa

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15152261729

Visit website

Shell Recharge Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006360986

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

South Sioux City, Nebraska

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Sioux City, Iowa

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 191.6

Waukee, Iowa

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 194.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | 5th Street

Turn left onto 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | Floyd Boulevard

Turn right onto Floyd Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
94 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 80 East: Des Moines

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 16A Toward I 80 East: Des Moines
9
189.6 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | I 80

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 123B Toward I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, K...
8
194.1 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport, West Des Moines, Norwalk

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 68 Toward IA 5: Des Moines International Airport,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.42 one way

$104.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 117 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $57.56 $115.11
premium $4.89 $64.53 $129.05
diesel $5.61 $74.03 $148.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.6 1 $35.21 $16.09
Efficient EV 83.8 0 $29.34 $13.41
EV Truck/SUV 134.1 1 $46.94 $21.46

Gas CO2

117 kg

EV CO2

39 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sioux City, IA

Afternoon in Sioux City on Saturday

Local time

12:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mount Pleasant, IA

Afternoon in Mount Pleasant on Saturday

Local time

12:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°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

25 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

6h 19m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

335.3 mi in 6h 19m, mostly highway — 95.2 mi of that is on I 80.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.2 mi on I 80.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 0.5 miles in near 5th Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 335.3 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 0.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Floyd Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,458 ft 707 ft

Total Climb

473 ft

Total Descent

953 ft

Highest Point

1,458 ft

~143.7 mi in

Elevation Range

751 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Sioux City, IA and Mount Pleasant, IA, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines and Norwalk.

Minneapolis

189.6 mi in | ~3h 27m | via I 80

Kansas City

189.6 mi in | ~3h 27m | via I 80

Des Moines

194.1 mi in | ~3h 33m

Norwalk

194.1 mi in | ~3h 33m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 335.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 95.2 miles on I 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Mount Pleasant, IA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Floyd Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 94 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mount Pleasant, IA before the return drive.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Mount Pleasant, IA to Sioux City, IA

Plan the drive back the other way.

335.3 mi 6h 18m

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