How far is Burlington, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Burlington, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 293.7 miles (472.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.4 miles (401.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m 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 42m.
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 Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Burlington and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on South Central Avenue
2288 ft · 50 sec · South Central Avenue
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2
Continue on North Central Avenue
999 ft · 27 sec · North Central Avenue
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3
Take the ramp left toward US 34 West, IA 163 West
1573 ft · 27 sec
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4
Merge slight left
26.2 mi · 31 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 218, IA 27 North: Iowa City, Fairfield
1.3 km · 2 min
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6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
1.8 mi · 2 min · Avenue of the Saints
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7
Keep slight right
61.1 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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8
Continue straight
16.7 mi · 19 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward IA 92: Oskaloosa, Knoxville
2175 ft · 59 sec
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10
Turn left onto A Avenue West
32.4 mi · 36 min · A Avenue West
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11
Turn right
575 ft · 7 sec
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12
Continue on State Highway 5
19.2 mi · 23 min · State Highway 5
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13
Merge slight left onto Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 north: Minneapolis
1.4 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
4.3 mi · 5 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west: Council Bluffs
2455 ft · 1 min · Ramp 72 J
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17
Merge slight left onto John MacVicar Freeway
2827 ft · 40 sec · John MacVicar Freeway
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18
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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21
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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22
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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23
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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24
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Burlington 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.
John MacVicar Freeway
Merge slight right
94.8 mi · 01h 42m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Burlington and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Burlington to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 293.7 miles (472.7 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?
Swan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148 miles from Burlington and 145.7 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.4 miles (401.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 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 7:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.07 one way or $78.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Burlington and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Swan
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 Swan.
Osceola
Ottumwa station
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Burlington and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 249.4 mi (401.37 km).
#1 Burlington
City in Des Moines County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 24,516 |
| Coordinates | 40.8075400, -91.1129200 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| 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: 473 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $39.07 | $78.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.06 | $88.12 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $48.22 | $96.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $54.95 | $109.90 |
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.