How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Adel, IA?

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Adel, IA is about 112 miles (180.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 98.5 miles (158.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
111.97 mi
02h 07m
Flight
98.54 mi
158.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
98.54 mi
Kilometers
158.58 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
111.97 mi
Kilometers
180.2 km
Drive Time
02h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Adel
Fri, Apr 17, 12:03 PM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Fri, Apr 17, 2:11 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-17T09:55
Arrive Adel
Fri, Apr 17, 12:03 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Brayton
IA

Human settlement in Audubon County, Iowa, United States of America

From Council Bluffs
55.9 mi
01h 03m
To Adel
56.1 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph WSW
Destination
80°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 22 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Adel.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Adel.

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Continue on West Broadway

    3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway

  3. 3

    Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard

    4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1399 ft · 34 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    101 mi · 1 hr 48 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169, US 6: Adel, Winterset

    1516 ft · 37 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    19 m · 6 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Guthrie Street

    111 m · 7 sec · Guthrie Street

  9. 9

    Continue on North Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Avenue

  10. 10

    Continue on N Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · N Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on Nile Kinnick Drive South

    1 mi · 2 min · Nile Kinnick Drive South

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Nile Kinnick Drive South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Adel.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
105 mi · 94%
N Avenue
3 mi · 3%
North Avenue
1.15 mi · 1%
Nile Kinnick Drive South
1.01 mi · 1%
West Broadway
0.97 mi · 1%
US 169
0.3 mi
Longest Stretch

West Kanesville Boulevard

Merge slight left

101 mi · 01h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.5 mi
98.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brayton
01h 03m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
2:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Council Bluffs and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Adel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Adel?

The road trip is about 112 miles (180.2 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?

Brayton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.9 miles from Council Bluffs and 56.1 miles from Adel.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 98.5 miles (158.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 2:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.90 one way or $29.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Council Bluffs and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Adel.

Stop Ideas Near Brayton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Brayton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brayton.

RAIL

Creston

72 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue
RAIL

Omaha

90 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street
RAIL

Osceola

112 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Adel. Straight-line distance: 98.54 mi (158.58 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

Population62,216
Coordinates41.2619400, -95.8608300
Altitude301
CountryUnited States
Adel

#2 Adel

City in Iowa

Population5,607
Coordinates41.6144300, -94.0174500
Altitude272
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Adel (-94.01745, 41.61443)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 180 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.95 gal
14.96 L · about $14.90
Round trip
$29.79
7.9 gal · 29.92 L
Estimated CO2
35.1 kg one way
Round trip: 70.2 kg / 155 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.90 $29.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $16.80 $33.60
Premium $4.65 $18.38 $36.77
Diesel $5.30 $20.95 $41.90

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Adel. The current time is 09:55:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.