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

The driving distance from Council Bluffs, IA to Belmond, IA is about 222.3 miles (357.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
222.26 mi
04h 16m
Flight
158.94 mi
255.79 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Council Bluffs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.94 mi
Kilometers
255.79 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.26 mi
Kilometers
357.69 km
Drive Time
04h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Belmond
Wed, Apr 15, 3:12 AM CDT
Return by in Council Bluffs
Wed, Apr 15, 7:28 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Council Bluffs
2026-04-14T22:56
Arrive Belmond
Wed, Apr 15, 3:12 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:28 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Council Bluffs
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Van Meter
IA

Township in Dallas County, Iowa

From Council Bluffs
111 mi
02h 08m
To Belmond
111.2 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
77°F
Tuesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 17 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    113.8 mi · 2 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35, I 80 East: Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City

    14.4 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North, I 235 South: Minneapolis, Des Moines

    56.2 mi · 1 hr 1 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 20 West: Fort Dodge

    1664 ft · 57 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 69

    1984 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Little Wall Lake Road

    19.5 mi · 27 min · Little Wall Lake Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 220th Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · 220th Street

  13. 13

    Turn straight

    8 mi · 11 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    694 ft · 36 sec · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue Northeast

    19 m · 3 sec · 2nd Avenue Northeast

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue Northeast

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Kanesville Boulevard
118 mi · 53%
I 35 North
56.2 mi · 25%
Little Wall Lake Road
19.5 mi · 9%
I 35
14.4 mi · 6%
US 20 West
3.63 mi · 2%
West Broadway
0.97 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+63.4 mi
158.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Van Meter
02h 08m from Council Bluffs
Leave By
8:28 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Council Bluffs and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Belmond.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 222.3 miles (357.7 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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?

Van Meter is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111 miles from Council Bluffs and 111.2 miles from Belmond.

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

The direct path is about 158.9 miles (255.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.4 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 8:28 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.56 one way or $59.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.7 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 near Belmond.

Stop Ideas Near Van Meter

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

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

RAIL

Osceola

57 mi away
Main & East Clay Streets
RAIL

Creston

63 mi away
Pine and Adams Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Council Bluffs and Belmond. Straight-line distance: 158.94 mi (255.79 km).

Council Bluffs

#1 Council Bluffs

The most populous city in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

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

#2 Belmond

City in Wright County, Iowa, United States

Population2,235
Coordinates42.8460800, -93.6141000
Altitude359
CountryUnited States
Start: Council Bluffs (-95.86083, 41.26194)
End: Belmond (-93.6141, 42.84608)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 358 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.84 gal
29.69 L · about $29.56
Round trip
$59.13
15.68 gal · 59.38 L
Estimated CO2
69.7 kg one way
Round trip: 139.3 kg / 307 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.56 $59.13
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.34 $66.69
Premium $4.65 $36.49 $72.97
Diesel $5.30 $41.58 $83.17

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

There is no time difference between Council Bluffs and Belmond. The current time is 22:56:43.

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.