How far is Clear Lake, IA from Council Bluffs, IA?
The driving distance from Clear Lake, IA to Council Bluffs, IA is about 240.7 miles (387.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.4 miles (292 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m 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 37m.
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.
Human settlement in Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Clear Lake and Council Bluffs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake and Council Bluffs.
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1
Start on North 6th Street
24 m · 6 sec · North 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
57 m · 10 sec · 1st Avenue North
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3
Turn right onto North 8th Street
1671 ft · 34 sec · North 8th Street
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4
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
1.1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue South
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 35 south, US 18 east, IA 27 south: Des Moines
1796 ft · 44 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
105.3 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Avenue of the Saints
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7
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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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 80 West: Omaha
95.5 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 80 West: Council Bluffs, Omaha Nebraska
19.1 mi · 20 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Council Bluffs, Oakland
1648 ft · 31 sec
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11
Turn straight onto East Kanesville Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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12
Continue on East Broadway
772 ft · 21 sec · East Broadway
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13
Continue on East Kanesville Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · East Kanesville Boulevard
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14
Continue on West Broadway
1993 ft · 51 sec · West Broadway
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Broadway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clear Lake and Council Bluffs.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Avenue of the Saints
Merge slight left onto Avenue of the Saints
105 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Clear Lake and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clear Lake to Council Bluffs?
The road trip is about 240.7 miles (387.3 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Clive is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.2 miles from Clear Lake and 120.4 miles from Council Bluffs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.4 miles (292 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.3 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 9:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.02 one way or $64.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Clear Lake and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny near Council Bluffs.
Stop Ideas Near Clive
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 Clive.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clear Lake and Council Bluffs. Straight-line distance: 181.47 mi (292.04 km).
#1 Clear Lake
City in Iowa, United States
| Population | 7,517 |
| Coordinates | 43.1380200, -93.3793700 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| 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: 387 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $32.02 | $64.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.11 | $72.22 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $39.51 | $79.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $45.03 | $90.06 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.