How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Alta, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Alta, IA is about 118.9 miles (191.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m 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 47m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Crawford County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Alta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Alta.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 49 sec · West Broadway
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2
Turn right onto North 16th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North 16th Street
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3
Take the ramp straight
2564 ft · 1 min
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4
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Loveland
1934 ft · 1 min
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6
Turn left onto Desoto Avenue
1522 ft · 51 sec · Desoto Avenue
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7
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old Lincoln Highway
2978 ft · 46 sec · Old Lincoln Highway
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8
Continue on Loess Hills Trail
3.1 mi · 4 min · Loess Hills Trail
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9
Continue on South 6th Street
2367 ft · 1 min · South 6th Street
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10
Turn right onto East Erie Street
1812 ft · 1 min · East Erie Street
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11
Continue on Lincoln Highway
7.5 mi · 11 min · Lincoln Highway
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12
Continue on South Maple Avenue
1688 ft · 43 sec · South Maple Avenue
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13
Turn right onto West 7th Street
1908 ft · 1 min · West 7th Street
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14
Continue on County Road F50
17.4 mi · 24 min · County Road F50
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15
Continue on South 3rd Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South 3rd Street
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16
Continue on South 6th Street
16.5 mi · 24 min · South 6th Street
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17
Turn straight onto 260th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · 260th Street
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18
Continue on George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
1656 ft · 28 sec · George P. Soumas Memorial Highway
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19
Turn right onto State Highway 39
17.1 mi · 24 min · State Highway 39
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20
Continue on 400th Street
1.2 km · 1 min · 400th Street
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21
Continue on Fox Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Fox Avenue
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22
Continue on South Des Moines Street
2648 ft · 1 min · South Des Moines Street
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23
Continue on Fox Avenue
11.3 mi · 16 min · Fox Avenue
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24
Turn right onto 220th Street
1.3 km · 1 min · 220th Street
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25
Turn left onto Gard Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Gard Avenue
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26
Continue on 90th Avenue
3 mi · 4 min · 90th Avenue
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto 630th Street
2647 ft · 43 sec · 630th Street
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28
Turn right onto 85th Avenue
951 ft · 17 sec · 85th Avenue
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29
Continue on State Highway 110
2.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 110
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30
Continue on State Highway 110
1595 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 110
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31
Continue on 90th Avenue
1549 ft · 34 sec · 90th Avenue
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32
Turn left onto Highway 7
3.3 mi · 5 min · Highway 7
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33
Turn right onto 60th Avenue
613 ft · 27 sec · 60th Avenue
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 60th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Alta.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
County Road F50
Continue on County Road F50
17.4 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers near Alta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Alta?
The road trip is about 118.9 miles (191.3 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Arion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.5 miles from Council Bluffs and 59.4 miles from Alta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.8 miles (163.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.1 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 12:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.84 one way or $31.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Chance Rain Showers near Alta.
Stop Ideas Near Arion
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 Arion.
Omaha
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Alta. Straight-line distance: 101.84 mi (163.9 km).
#1 Council Bluffs
The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
| Population | 62,216 |
| Coordinates | 41.2619400, -95.8608300 |
| Altitude | 301 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alta
City in Buena Vista County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 1,916 |
| Coordinates | 42.6735900, -95.2905500 |
| Altitude | 454 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alta (-95.29055, 42.67359)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 191 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.84 | $31.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.86 | $35.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $19.55 | $39.09 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $22.28 | $44.55 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.