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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Akron, IA is about 122.5 miles (197.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114 miles (183.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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
122.48 mi
02h 24m
Flight
114.05 mi
183.54 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
114.05 mi
Kilometers
183.54 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.48 mi
Kilometers
197.11 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Akron
Fri, Apr 17, 12:12 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Fri, Apr 17, 2:37 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-16T21:47
Arrive Akron
Fri, Apr 17, 12:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:40 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

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.

Mid-route stop
Whiting
IA

City in Monona County, Iowa, United States

From Council Bluffs
61.3 mi
01h 12m
To Akron
61.2 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
3 to 15 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Broadway

    1850 ft · 49 sec · West Broadway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North 16th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight

    2564 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    94 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward IA 12 North: Riverside Boulevard

    1588 ft · 39 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Riverside Boulevard

    2 mi · 4 min · Riverside Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Sioux River Road

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Sioux River Road

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 12

    15.5 mi · 21 min · State Highway 12

  9. 9

    Continue on Portland Street

    933 ft · 18 sec · Portland Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 12

    1418 ft · 23 sec · State Highway 12

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 3

    4.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 3

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 12

    2285 ft · 59 sec · State Highway 12

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Reed Street

    84 m · 18 sec · Reed Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North 2nd Street

    16 m · 2 sec · North 2nd Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North 2nd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North 16th Street
95.8 mi · 78%
State Highway 12
16.2 mi · 13%
State Highway 3
4.74 mi · 4%
Sioux River Road
2.81 mi · 2%
Riverside Boulevard
2.03 mi · 2%
West Broadway
0.35 mi
Longest Stretch

North 16th Street

Merge slight left

94 mi · 01h 42m

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
114 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Whiting
01h 12m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
1:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Council Bluffs and Sunny near Akron.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 122.5 miles (197.1 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Whiting is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.3 miles from Council Bluffs and 61.2 miles from Akron.

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

The direct path is about 114 miles (183.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 1:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.29 one way or $32.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Council Bluffs and Sunny near Akron.

Stop Ideas Near Whiting

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Whiting, 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 Whiting.

RAIL

Omaha

99 mi away
1003 S. 9th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Akron. Straight-line distance: 114.05 mi (183.54 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Akron

City in Plymouth County, South Dakota, United States

Population1,454
Coordinates42.8288800, -96.5594800
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Akron (-96.55948, 42.82888)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 197 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.32 gal
16.36 L · about $16.29
Round trip
$32.58
8.64 gal · 32.72 L
Estimated CO2
38.4 kg one way
Round trip: 76.8 kg / 169 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.29 $32.58
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.37 $36.75
Premium $4.65 $20.11 $40.21
Diesel $5.30 $22.91 $45.83

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 Akron. The current time is 21:47:54.

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.