How far is Carter Lake, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Carter Lake, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 7.4 miles (11.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 3.5 miles (5.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 16m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Human settlement in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carter Lake and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carter Lake and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North 9th Street
2043 ft · 1 min · North 9th Street
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2
Turn right onto East Locust Street
1 km · 2 min · East Locust Street
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3
Turn left onto North 11th Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North 11th Street
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4
Continue on Izard Street
1113 ft · 36 sec · Izard Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto North 14th Street
2223 ft · 1 min · North 14th Street
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward I 480 East
1781 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Expressway
1 km · 58 sec · Gerald R Ford Expressway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Riverfront
1367 ft · 39 sec
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9
Continue on West Broadway
3 mi · 7 min · West Broadway
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10
Continue on West Broadway
1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carter Lake and Council Bluffs.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
West Broadway
Continue on West Broadway
2.96 mi · 00h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 7.4 miles (11.9 km) and usually takes 00h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Crescent is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.6 miles from Carter Lake and 3.8 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 3.5 miles (5.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.98 one way or $1.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carter Lake and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Crescent
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 Crescent.
Omaha
Lincoln
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carter Lake and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 3.57 mi (5.74 km).
#1 Carter Lake
City in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 3,793 |
| Coordinates | 41.2905500, -95.9180700 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| 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: 12 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $0.98 | $1.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.11 | $2.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $1.21 | $2.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $1.38 | $2.76 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.