How far is Cedar Falls, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Cedar Falls, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 252.6 miles (406.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.2 miles (315.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m 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 03h 50m.
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 Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cedar Falls and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Falls and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on Main Street
16 m · 8 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
19 m · 1 sec · Main Street
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
32 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · Main Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street
24 m · 2 sec · Main Street
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
993 ft · 22 sec · Main Street
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7
Turn right onto University Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · University Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward University Avenue
38 m · 3 sec · University Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto University Avenue
3.5 mi · 5 min · University Avenue
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10
Continue on Grundy Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Grundy Road
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11
Take the ramp right
2235 ft · 54 sec
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12
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward IA 14: Parkersburg, Grundy Center
2083 ft · 59 sec
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14
Turn left onto N Avenue
4.5 mi · 6 min · N Avenue
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15
Turn right onto 210th Street
1.6 km · 1 min · 210th Street
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16
Turn sharp left onto County Road T37
1 mi · 1 min · County Road T37
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17
Continue on M Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min · M Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 240th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 240th Street
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19
Turn left onto Sanford Avenue
15.9 mi · 22 min · Sanford Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 160th Street
4.3 mi · 6 min · 160th Street
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21
Keep slight left to continue on North Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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22
Continue on Marsh Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Marsh Avenue
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23
Turn right
35.9 mi · 43 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 west, US 65 south: Des Moines
13 mi · 16 min
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25
Continue straight
5.6 mi · 6 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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29
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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30
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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31
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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32
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cedar Falls and Council Bluffs.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Cedar Falls and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cedar Falls to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 252.6 miles (406.6 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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?
Waukee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.1 miles from Cedar Falls and 135.6 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.2 miles (315.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.4 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 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.64 one way or $67.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Cedar Falls and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Waukee
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 Waukee.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cedar Falls and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 196.2 mi (315.76 km).
#1 Cedar Falls
The largest city in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
| Population | 40,231 |
| Coordinates | 42.5277600, -92.4454700 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| 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: 407 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.64 | $67.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.94 | $75.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.51 | $83.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.31 | $94.62 |
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.