How far is Cherokee, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Cherokee, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 104 miles (167.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 13m.
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.
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 Cherokee and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cherokee and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on the route
32 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
5 mi · 8 min · South 2nd Street
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3
Turn right onto 580th Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · 580th Street
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4
Turn left onto River Road
4.1 mi · 6 min · River Road
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto L Avenue
1423 ft · 22 sec · L Avenue
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6
Continue on County Highway L51
1190 ft · 18 sec · County Highway L51
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7
Continue on North Main Street
1490 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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8
Turn right onto State Highway 31
4.9 mi · 7 min · State Highway 31
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9
Continue on Lincoln Street
1 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 31
7.4 mi · 10 min · State Highway 31
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11
Turn right onto Highway 20
1296 ft · 29 sec · Highway 20
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12
Turn left onto Aspen Street
1.1 km · 1 min · Aspen Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto 160th Street
3238 ft · 52 sec · 160th Street
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14
Turn straight onto State Highway 31
6.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 31
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15
Continue on North Fox Avenue
13 mi · 19 min · North Fox Avenue
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16
Continue on Lee Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Lee Avenue
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17
Continue on County Highway L12
16.1 mi · 28 min · County Highway L12
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Iowa Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · Iowa Avenue
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19
Continue on State Highway 175
1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 175
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20
Take the ramp left
2024 ft · 50 sec
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21
Merge slight left
55.1 mi · 59 min
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22
Take the exit slight left
2123 ft · 52 sec
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23
Continue on North 16th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street
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24
Turn left onto West Broadway
3164 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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25
Continue on West Broadway
1361 ft · 39 sec · West Broadway
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cherokee 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.
State Highway 175
Merge slight left
55.1 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Sunny leaving Cherokee 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 Cherokee to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 125.3 miles (201.6 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?
Onawa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62 miles from Cherokee and 63.3 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 104 miles (167.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.67 one way or $33.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cherokee and Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Onawa
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 Onawa.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cherokee and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 103.99 mi (167.36 km).
#1 Cherokee
Native American people indigenous to the Southeastern United States
| Population | 4,841 |
| Coordinates | 42.7494300, -95.5516700 |
| Altitude | 364 |
| 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: 202 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.67 | $33.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.80 | $37.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.57 | $41.14 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.44 | $46.89 |
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.