How far is Charles City, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Charles City, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 274.1 miles (441.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.4 miles (330.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 19m 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 09m.
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.
The most populous city in Polk County, Iowa.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Charles City and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charles City and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on 4th Avenue
9 m · 3 sec · 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Brantingham Street
759 ft · 26 sec · Brantingham Street
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3
Turn right onto Clark Street
1319 ft · 34 sec · Clark Street
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4
Turn left onto North Main Street
1198 ft · 39 sec · North Main Street
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5
Turn right onto Gilbert Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · Gilbert Street
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6
Turn straight onto 185th Street
862 ft · 14 sec · 185th Street
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7
Take the ramp right
1685 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
32.9 mi · 38 min · Avenue of the Saints
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 35 South: Des Moines
1.4 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on I 35 South: Des Moines
2643 ft · 32 sec
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11
Merge slight left
102.7 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 South, I 80: Kansas City, Council Bluffs, Davenport
14.3 mi · 16 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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17
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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18
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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19
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Charles City 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 35 South
Merge slight left
103 mi · 01h 51m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Charles City 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 Charles City to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 274.1 miles (441.1 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?
Ankeny is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.9 miles from Charles City and 137.2 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.4 miles (330.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.7 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 8:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.47 one way or $72.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Charles City and Chance Rain Showers near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Ankeny
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 Ankeny.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Charles City and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 205.42 mi (330.59 km).
#1 Charles City
City in Iowa
| Population | 7,307 |
| Coordinates | 43.0663600, -92.6724100 |
| Altitude | 307 |
| 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: 441 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $36.47 | $72.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $41.13 | $82.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $45.00 | $90.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $51.29 | $102.58 |
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.