How far is Altoona, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Altoona, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 140.7 miles (226.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 16m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Adair and Guthrie Counties in the US state of Iowa
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Altoona and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Altoona and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on 1st Avenue South
15 m · 3 sec · 1st Avenue South
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2
Turn right onto 8th Street Southwest
2.3 mi · 4 min · 8th Street Southwest
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3
Take the ramp right
1546 ft · 40 sec
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4
Continue straight
1997 ft · 49 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
1023 ft · 13 sec · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 80 West: Council Bluffs
1.2 mi · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
16.1 mi · 19 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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11
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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12
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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13
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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14
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Altoona and Council Bluffs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 80 West
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 01h 43m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Altoona and Rain Showers Likely near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Altoona to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 140.7 miles (226.5 km) and usually takes 02h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Adair is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.7 miles from Altoona and 71 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.74 one way or $37.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Altoona and Rain Showers Likely near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Adair
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Adair.
Creston
Osceola
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Altoona and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 126.86 mi (204.16 km).
#1 Altoona
City in Polk County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 19,503 |
| Coordinates | 41.6441600, -93.4646600 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Broadway (-95.86083, 41.261939)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.74 | $37.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.14 | $42.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $23.13 | $46.26 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.36 | $52.72 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Iowa · Apr 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.