How far is Ankeny, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
Fastest route
Distance: 139 miles (224 kilometers) Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes Route: Via I-80 W
Directions
- Get on I-35 S: Head east on E 1st St toward NE Oak Dr. Use the right lane to take the ramp onto I-35 S.
- Follow I-80 W: Merge onto I-35 S/I-80 W toward Kansas City/Council Bluffs. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-80 W, follow signs for Council Bluffs/Omaha.
- Take exit 8 for US-6: Exit at E Kanesville Blvd in Council Bluffs. Take exit 8 from I-80 W.
- Merge onto E Kanesville Blvd: Use the right 2 lanes to merge onto E Kanesville Blvd.
- Follow E Kanesville Blvd to W Broadway: Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Business Dist/Community College/Council Blfs/I-80 and merge onto E Kanesville Blvd. Continue until you reach W Broadway.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for Traffic: Check real-time traffic conditions before you start your journey to avoid delays.
- 🛣️ Stay on I-80 W: Stick to I-80 W as it is the fastest route for this trip.
- ⛽ Fuel Up: Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
- 🚧 Be Prepared for Construction: Watch out for roadwork or construction zones that might slow you down.
- 🚓 Follow Speed Limits: Adhere to speed limits for a safe and smooth trip.
- ☕ Take Breaks: Consider taking short breaks during the journey to stay refreshed.
- 📍 Use GPS: Utilize a navigation system or GPS app to stay on track throughout the trip.
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 12m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ankeny and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
15 m · 7 sec · Southwest 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto Southwest Walnut Street
1897 ft · 1 min · Southwest Walnut Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Southwest Ordnance Road
1.4 km · 2 min · Southwest Ordnance Road
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4
Turn left onto Southwest State Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · Southwest State Street
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5
Continue on Northwest 2nd Street
2.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest 2nd Street
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6
Take the ramp slight right
2024 ft · 49 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
-
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
-
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 Ankeny 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Ankeny and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ankeny to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 139.9 miles (225.1 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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 68.4 miles from Ankeny and 71.5 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.1 miles (194.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.8 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 2:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.59 one way or $37.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ankeny and Sunny 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 Ankeny and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 121.09 mi (194.88 km).
#1 Ankeny
The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
| Population | 70,068 |
| Coordinates | 41.7297100, -93.6057700 |
| Altitude | 302 |
| 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: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.59 | $37.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.97 | $41.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.94 | $45.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.15 | $52.30 |
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 · May 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.