How far is Anamosa, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Anamosa, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 272.9 miles (439.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.2 miles (391.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Polk County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Anamosa and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anamosa and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on East Main Street
1913 ft · 45 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South Elm Street
1484 ft · 33 sec · South Elm Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Cemetery Road
12 m · 2 sec · Cemetery Road
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4
Turn right onto South Elm Street
1472 ft · 29 sec · South Elm Street
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5
Continue on County Road E34
3.2 mi · 6 min · County Road E34
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6
Take the ramp right
2341 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
11.1 mi · 13 min
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8
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Turn right
15.2 mi · 19 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 30 West, US 218 North: Tama, Marshalltown
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto 16th Avenue Southwest
2.4 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on 73rd Street
24.4 mi · 28 min · 73rd Street
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13
Continue on Lincoln Highway
37.3 mi · 43 min · Lincoln Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward IA 330: Melbourne, Des Moines
1818 ft · 46 sec
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15
Turn left onto Marshalltown Boulevard
33.7 mi · 40 min · Marshalltown Boulevard
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16
Continue on Northeast Hubbell Avenue
1.1 km · 58 sec · Northeast Hubbell Avenue
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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18
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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19
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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22
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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23
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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24
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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25
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Anamosa 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 longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Anamosa and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Anamosa to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 272.9 miles (439.2 km) and usually takes 04h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Altoona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.4 miles from Anamosa and 138.5 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.2 miles (391.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.31 one way or $72.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms around Anamosa and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Altoona
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 Altoona.
Osceola
Creston
Ottumwa station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Anamosa and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 243.2 mi (391.4 km).
#1 Anamosa
City in Jones County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 5,545 |
| Coordinates | 42.1083400, -91.2851600 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| 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: 439 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.31 | $72.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.96 | $81.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $44.82 | $89.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.08 | $102.16 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.