How far is Council Bluffs, IA from Aplington, IA?
The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Aplington, IA is about 235 miles (378.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 03m 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 04h 31m.
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.
City in Dallas County, Iowa, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Council Bluffs and Aplington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Council Bluffs and Aplington.
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1
Start on West Broadway
1850 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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2
Continue on West Broadway
3251 ft · 1 min · West Broadway
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3
Continue on West Kanesville Boulevard
4.2 mi · 8 min · West Kanesville Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp slight left
1399 ft · 34 sec
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5
Merge slight left
113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City
14.4 mi · 17 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines
55.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 20 East: Waterloo
2998 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
27.2 mi · 31 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CR S56: Ackley, Eldora
2219 ft · 60 sec
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11
Turn left onto County Highway S56
6.3 mi · 11 min · County Highway S56
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12
Continue on Butler Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Butler Street
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Butler Street
131 m · 9 sec · Butler Street
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14
Turn straight onto Hardin Street
1.5 km · 1 min · Hardin Street
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15
Continue on West Brook Street
3.5 mi · 5 min · West Brook Street
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16
Turn straight
5.7 mi · 8 min
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Parrott Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Council Bluffs and Aplington.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
West Kanesville Boulevard
Merge slight left
114 mi · 02h 02m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Aplington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Council Bluffs to Aplington?
The road trip is about 235 miles (378.2 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?
Waukee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.4 miles from Council Bluffs and 117.7 miles from Aplington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.8 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 7:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.26 one way or $62.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Aplington.
Stop Ideas Near Waukee
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 Waukee.
Osceola
Creston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Aplington. Straight-line distance: 178.2 mi (286.78 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 Aplington
Human settlement in Butler County, Iowa, United States of America
| Population | 1,039 |
| Coordinates | 42.5841500, -92.8843600 |
| Altitude | 297 |
| Country | United States |
End: Aplington (-92.88436, 42.58415)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 378 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.26 | $70.51 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.58 | $77.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $43.97 | $87.94 |
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.